HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 31, 2007) – Following 110 minutes of scoreless play, third-seeded Nazareth College advanced to the finals of the 2007 Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship with a 4-3 edge over second-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology in penalty kicks on Wednesday afternoon at the De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, N.J. Freshman midfielder Erica Conte (Caledonia, N.Y.) tallied the decisive goal as the final shooter in the fifth round of the shootout.
The Golden Flyers, who have won a share of the Empire 8 title in each of the last six seasons, will now take on top-seeded Ithaca College in the championship game. That contest will take place on Saturday at noon in Ithaca, N.Y. The Bombers claimed a 3-0 win over No. 4 seed Utica College earlier in the day.
In the first overtime period, Stevens (12-4-2) had a golden opportunity to win the game with just over three minutes remaining when senior back/midfielder Sara Roeder took a free kick from just outside the left side of the box near the end-line. On the play, junior back Salme Cook settled the loose ball in the box and ripped a shot that was tagged for the back of the net, but a collection of Nazareth defenders stepped in the way to thwart the scoring opportunity.
During the second extra session, the Golden Flyers (11-5-2) had a few good chances but were unable to capitalize on three corner kicks. With 55 seconds remaining, the Ducks nearly ended the game when senior forward Gina Crifasi challenged Nazareth freshman goalkeeper Hillary Simon (Homer, N.Y.) on a through ball near the top of the box. Simon was unable to settle the ball as it rolled loose to senior midfielder Lauren Buroojy, who was unmarked on the right side. Buroojy's shot sailed high of the crossbar though.
Cook led off penalty kicks for the Ducks and ripped a shot past Simon into the right side-netting. Stevens freshman goalkeeper Jenn Pontier made a remarkable diving save against senior midfielder Julie Birbilis (Ballston Spa, N.Y.) to preserve the 1-0 lead. The Ducks had a chance to go up two goals, but Simon stopped a shot by junior midfielder Audra Clark.
Nazareth tied the score when senior forward Caroline Parsons (Glens Falls, N.Y.) beat Pontier to the right side. Sophomore midfielder Katelyn Stewart led off the third round with a goal to put Stevens in front 2-1. Junior forward Rachel Cushman (Rochester, N.Y.) was successful in her attempt as the Golden Flyers drew even.
In the fourth round, Simon came up with an outstanding save as she stopped a ball with her fingertips that was tagged for the top right corner off the foot of senior back Catherine Rotsides. Nazareth took the lead for the first time in penalty kicks when junior forward Taryn Bilodeau (McGraw, N.Y.) slid a ball to the right of Pontier.
With her team facing elimination, freshman forward/midfielder Kara Pepe scored to keep the Ducks alive. Conte ended the match as she blasted a shot past the diving attempt of Pontier to the left side.
Stevens out-shot Nazareth 20-14 in the contest. The Golden Flyers owned a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks. Simon finished with nine saves. Pontier made three stops in net.
Ranked No. 6 in the NCAA New York Region, Stevens will await word of a possible at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. That announcement will be made Sunday evening or Monday morning. The Ducks, who have made it to the national tournament in each of the past five seasons, are also in the running for a berth to the ECAC Metro Championship. Despite Wednesday's loss in penalty kicks, the Ducks unbeaten streak at home reached 37 straight games – marking the sixth-longest mark in NCAA Division III history.
