FAIRFIELD, Conn.– The Sacred Heart University women's soccer team tied the program record for wins in a season (10) in its 5-0 victory over LIU in the first round of the Northeast Conference tournament on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, the Pioneers advance to the NEC semifinal and head coach Matt Micros earns his first postseason win for Sacred Heart.
Records
#3 Sacred Heart: 10-5-4, (5-1-3 NEC)
#6 LIU: 4-12-3, (2-5-2 NEC)
Top Performers
Grace O'Hara (SHU): 1 goal, 1 assist
Desiree Crawford (SHU): 1 goal
Morgan Bovardi (SHU): 1 goal
Francesca Peloro (SHU): 1 goal
Kelly Medeiros (SHU): 1 goal
Nichol Green (SHU): 1 assist
Elyssa Kipperman (SHU): 3 saves (10-5-4)
Janelle Mixner (SHU): 4 saves
Of Note:
- Sacred Heart tied the program record for wins in a season with 10. This is the fifth time the Pioneers have had 10 wins in a season.
- Sophomore Grace O'Hara got the Pioneers on the board first in the 22nd minute for her seventh goal of the season.
- Desiree Crawford scored her fifth goal of the season with a helper from O'Hara in the 35th minute as the Pioneers held a 2-0 lead at the half.
- Sacred Heart scored three more goals in the second half to secure the victory.
- In the 56th minute, senior Nichol Green sent a through ball right to first-year Morgan Bovardi as she put away her seventh goal of the season for a 3-0 lead.
- Francesca Peloro and Kelly Medeiros scored back-to-back goals to give the Pioneers the 5-0 final.
- Senior goalkeeper Elyssa Kipperman made three saves in the victory and first-year Janelle Mixner made her collegiate debut as she turned away for shots.
- Head Coach Matt Micros secured his first postseason win at the helm of the Pioneers.
- The shutout is the team's 10th of the season.
- 5-0 is the largest margin of victory for Sacred Heart this season.
Up Next:
#3 Sacred Heart will travel to #2 Merrimack on Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00 PM in the Northeast Conference tournament semifinal.
Game Day Captains: Anna Ludkiewicz, Mia Sansanelli, Madison Palma and Alex O'Hare
Quotes:
Pregame- "May you truly live all the days of your life." Jonathan Swift
Post game- "We wanted the team to enjoy the experience. Beautiful day in the first home playoff game in program history. Never did we think the game was going to go the way it did, but sometimes things click. We are proud of them and look forward to the season continuing for however long we can keep it going." - Head Coach Matt Micros