Women's Soccer 11/8/2014 4:43:00 PM

Women’s Soccer heads to NCAA Tournament in shootout win over Wentworth

Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team won the Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship for the first time since 2012, defeating the #7 seed Wentworth Institute of Technology 4-1 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 double overtime tie.

The Hawks netted the game-tying goal in the closing seconds of regulation to send the game to extra periods.

Roger Williams nearly grabbed an early lead in the 13th minute, with Haley Carignan (Scarborough, Maine) coming down the right side with a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper. She put up a shot but had it bounce off of the crossbar. Jenna Hart (Cheshire, Conn.) followed up with a shot on the loose ball, but sailed it across the net just wide left.

The Hawks kept up the pressure throughout the first half, outshooting the Leopards 8-1. However, RWU's efforts were unable to be converted into goals, as the two teams went into the break in a scoreless tie.

In the second half, Roger Williams continued to play uptempo on the offensive end. The Hawks had a few chances to tack on the first score of the game in the opening part of the period. Carla Salcedo (Mexico City, Mexico) booted a long shot in the 61st minute just sailed over the net, missing by a couple of feet.

Wentworth had its best opportunity to score three minutes later, as Emily Richard (Fremont, N.H.) took the ball on the left side of the net off of a corner kick by Mary Annon. Richard had the ball past the keeper, but Julie Loewenstein (Malta, N.Y.) got her body in front of the shot and prevent a sure goal.

The Leopards finally managed to break through in the 82nd minute. A foul on the Hawks set up a free kick outside the left side of the box. Mary Pastorelli (Whitesboro, N.Y.) served up the free kick to the left side, finding Richard on the corner. Richard blasted a kick into the upper corner to give the Leopards a 1-0 lead.

Wentworth appeared to be headed for the championship, before the Hawks made one last gasp. Darby Rawcliffe (Portland, Maine) took the ball to the right side and put up a shot from the right side. Wentworth's Nicole Leahey (Warwick, R.I.) knocked away the shot, but punched it right to Kristin Tetreault (Tolland, Conn.). Tetreault then put in the loose ball to tie the game with 21 seconds left, sending the game to overtime.

In the overtime periods, neither team came through with the golden goal, setting up penalty kicks.

Jessica Valenti (North Reading, Mass.) buried the first shot into the upper right corner, putting RWU up 1-0. Pastorelli stepped up next for Wentworth but had her shot saved on a diving stop to the right by Sydney Martin (Scarborough, Maine). Mariah Kaiser (Portsmouth, R.I.) and Valeria Zapata (Pawtucket, R.I.) respectively converted their opportunities for RWU and WIT, keeping the Hawk lead at one. Rawcliffe came through with the goal to the upper right corner, while Richard was denied by Martin. With the Hawks up 3-1, Tetreault stepped up and connected on the game-winning shot to punch the Hawks' ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

Martin had three saves for RWU in the game, while Leahey made six stops.

Roger Williams (18-2-4) will find out who their opponent is on Monday, while Wentworth (9-8-4) will see if it can earn a bid to the ECAC Tournament.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Haley Carignan: F; 5' 3"; Junior

#17 Jenna Hart: MF; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#7 Mariah Kaiser: F; 5' 7"; Junior

#13 Julie Loewenstein: B; 5' 5"; Senior

#11 Darby Rawcliffe: MF; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#8 Jessica Valenti: MF; 5' 5"; Junior

#1 Sydney Martin: GK; 5' 7"; Freshman

#23 Carla Salcedo: MF; 5' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#5 Haley Carignan
: 5' 3"; Junior
: F

#17 Jenna Hart
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: MF

#7 Mariah Kaiser
: 5' 7"; Junior
: F

#13 Julie Loewenstein
: 5' 5"; Senior
: B

#11 Darby Rawcliffe
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: MF

#8 Jessica Valenti
: 5' 5"; Junior
: MF

#1 Sydney Martin
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: GK

#23 Carla Salcedo
: 5' 3"; Junior
: MF