Starr
Mike McLaughlin
0
Stevens STEVENS (9-6-4, 6-1-2)
1
Winner Misericordia MIWS (18-1-0, 8-0-0)
Stevens STEVENS
(9-6-4, 6-1-2)
0
Final
1
Misericordia MIWS
(18-1-0, 8-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Stevens STEVENS 0 0 0
Misericordia MIWS 0 1 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Stevens Athletic Communications

Women’s Soccer Falls 1-0 to No. 4 Misericordia in MAC Freedom Final

Ducks battle before late goal proves too much to overcome

DALLAS, Pa. (November 6, 2021)  – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team kept the fourth-ranked offense in Division III largely in check, but a goal in the 78th minute proved to be the difference as the Ducks fell to No. 4 Misericordia University 1-0 Saturday in the MAC Freedom final, which was contested at Mangelsdorf Field.

Senior Izzy DiDario made six saves for the Ducks, who saw their streak of five consecutive conference championships come to an end. Stevens dropped to 9-6-4 on the year, although the young Ducks finished 4-1-1 over their last six matches.

Alexis Benedetto had five saves for Misericordia, who improved to 18-1 on the year. 

With the teams deadlocked, Emma Sweitzer, the MAC Freedom's leading scorer, created a turnover just outside the attacking third. Kaylee Sturans gathered the ball and carried it into the offensive zone before returning the ball to Sweitzer, who tucked a shot inside the right post. 

The stoic Duck defense held the Cougars well under the 4.11 goals per match the team averaged coming into the contest. Through their controlled play, Stevens held the Cougars to a season-low 12 shots - four under the team's previous season-low and significantly under the team's NCAA-leading number of 27.83. Stevens allowed just two shots over the final 33:27. 

DiDario kept the teams knotted through the opening 45 minutes. The Scotch Plains, New Jersey native made a sliding stop on Sweitzer's try for the left post in the fourth minute and then turned away Michaela Fasolino's point-blank shot near the right post six minutes later. DiDario would rob Fasolino again in the opening minute of the second half, catching a left-footed attempt after a corner.

Stevens had a pair of quality chances to break through, but junior Catalina Abusada floated a shot just over the top of the goal in the 29th minute and graduate student Madison Starr had her shot beat Benedetto and ring off the crossbar and senior Taylor Whitlock's try 30 seconds later was blocked.

Misericordia's Zoee Farr was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. 

Inside the Numbers
  • Stevens finished with a 17-12 advantage in shots. The Ducks have outshot 17 of their 19 opponents. It marked the first time this season that Misericordia was outshot.
  • Whitlock and sophomore Amelia Rehrig led the Ducks with three shots each.
  • The Ducks finished with a 6-5 margin in shots on target.
  • Each side earned three corners. 
  • The teams have split four all-time meetings.

From the Sidelines - Head Coach Jeff Parker
  • "Really proud of our team and their performance today. We were able to do a lot of things we were trying to do and created enough chances to leave with the result we wanted. We wanted to leave feeling better about what we did on the trip and we definitely did. Credit to the quality and execution of Misericordia today as they were able to find the goal we so coveted."
  • "We are one of several teams anxiously awaiting Monday's NCAA field selection and hope we have a resume worthy of having our season continue. I believe our team is fully deserving of that consideration."

Up Next
  • Stevens now awaits Monday's NCAA selection show to learn if it is awarded one of 20 at-large berths (Pool 'C') to the NCAA Division III Championship. The bracket will be unveiled at 1 p.m.

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