Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. - The top-seeded #23 Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team defeated the #8 seed Eastern Nazarene College 3-0 Saturday afternoon in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Quarterfinals.
 
With the victory, the Hawks will host the winner of the #4 Endicott/#5 Salve Regina quarterfinal matchup on Wednesday. Eastern Nazarene concludes the 2015 campaign with a record of 5-9-3.
 
The Hawk offense came out of the gate strong, keeping the Lion defense on its heels. However, the team's aggressiveness prevented them from securing offensive chances early on, as RWU was whistled for offsides four times in the first ten minutes of play.
 
Roger Williams was able to tally its first goal in the 22nd minute. Jessica Valenti (North Reading, Mass.) threaded a pass up the middle to Mariah Kaiser (Portsmouth, R.I.) inside the middle of the box. However, Kaiser was pushed down from behind as she made her way to the ball, leading to a foul and penalty kick. Kaiser then stepped up and sent the ball to the back of the right side of the net for a 1-0 Hawk lead.
 
The Lions had some close calls in the closing minutes of the first half, catching a few breaks that kept the deficit at only one goal entering the second half. The first came in the 37th minute, as a misplayed clear by ENC's defense allowed Carly Quinn (Danielson, Conn.) to send a long cross pass to Kristen Casey (East Longmeadow, Mass.) on the right side of the net. Casey had a look on net but sent her shot wide.
 
A minute later Haley Carignan (Scarborough, Maine) had a great look on a shot dead on net, but a strong diving save by Lion keeper Kristen Farley (Westminster, Mass.) prevented the Hawk goal. Then shortly after, Valenti sent a short chip shot that just sailed over the top corner of the goal by less than a yard.
 
ENC's luck ran out shortly into the second half, with the Hawks scoring less than three minutes into the period. Valenti took possession of the ball in the middle and sent a short through pass up the middle to Jenna Hart (Cheshire, Conn.), who beat the Lion defense and kicked a shot just out of the reach of a diving Farley for a 2-0 RWU lead.
 
Valenti scored the last goal for RWU in the 57^th minute. After a Lion foul from just outside midfield, Casey booted a long kick into the box that took a high bounce over the defense and was slighted redirected by Valenti inside the right corner of the net.
 
Sydney Martin (Scarborough, Maine) earned the shutout win, not needing to make a save as the Hawks outshot ENC 33-3. Farley stopped nine shots in the loss.

"We have had an unbelievable ride so for this fall," said Head Coach Tim Moody. "Going undefeated in the regular season is a big ask and we have answered. We play a tricky schedule and we have to be up to the challenge every time we step on the pitch. We cannot have an off day or you get punished. The attitude and application of the players this fall has been first class. You play all season long to gain the number 1 seed in the conference and finish the regular season off as champions. Thats what we did…Job done! But now it is win or go home time and we do not want to stop playing! We achieved home field for the playoffs which was important and now we have moved onto he semi-finals. We have put ourselves in a strong position and we want to get to the final. We haven't won anything yet, we haven't won a CCC Championship, no winners medals, or t-shirts…all we have are admiring friends, families and fans for the style of soccer we have shown all season from September 1st to November 1st."
 
"We played extremely well today, we started a little slow but then found our groove. Every player is an attacking when we have the ball and everyone is a defender when we don't. Our success has been that we keep the ball and can dictate the tempo of the game. We deserved the result because of a good performance and more importantly we were prepared to prepare properly for the game and the opposition we were facing. We have a few special players on the team this fall with points to prove, but it is the unsung heroes that really make it happen for everyone. The players who don't play at all or the ones with limited minutes. These players are the difference makers. Perhaps next year they will take over and lead the program to success. Everyone on this team has a role and everyone needs to give everything to the team and to the program. Soccer is truly a team sport, one player cannot win you a game or a Championship. We win together!"
 
"It could not have been a better day to play soccer, the conditions were perfect and so was the facilities and staff that have helped make the game run so smoothly. It is great to practice and play at our soccer stadium in front of our fans who follow us no matter what, rain or shine. These facilities have helped us recruit quality players with a thirst for success. Individual awards come from the success of the many who give so much. Our 2016 class is going to enjoy playing here and setting their own standards, dreams as well. The journey has been great so far and we will have to see where the destination will be shortly."