NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.— The Sacred Heart University women's soccer team has punched their ticket to the Northeast Conference Championship game as they took down #2 Merrimack 2-1 in the NEC semifinal on the road as the third seed on Thursday night. The win is a program record for wins in a season as the Pioneers extend to 11-5-4 and have remained unbeaten in the last five contests. 

Records
#3 Sacred Heart: 11-5-4, (5-1-3 NEC)
#2 Merrimack: 8-8-3. (6-2-1 NEC) 

Top Performers:
Nichol Green (SHU): 1 goal, 1 assist
Morgan Bovardi (SHU): 1 goal, game-winner 
Elyssa Kipperman (SHU): 3 saves (10-5-4)

Of Note:
Sacred Heart sets the new program record for wins in a season with 11. 

Merrimack scored the first goal of the game, coming from Erin Tyldesley in the 12th minute.  

Green tied the game 1-1 in the 23rd minute off a free kick that she curved into the front post to sneak by the Warriors junior goalkeeper Lily Morgan.

NEC Rookie of the year, Bovardi scored the game-winner in the 51st minute as she was on the receiving end of a corner kick from Green. Her team-leading eighth goal of the season put the Pioneers up for the 2-1 final. 

NEC defensive and goalkeeper of the year, Kipperman made three huge saves to secure the Pioneers win. 

Sacred Heart advances to the championship game for the first time since 2007.

Up Next:
The Pioneers will host the NEC Championship, for the first time in program history, on Sunday, November 6th at 1:00 PM against #4 FDU. 

Quotes:
Pregame- "Sometimes the longest journey we make is the 16 inches from our head to our heart."  Elena Avila
Post game- "This was our 3rd trip to the semifinals and the message to the team was that winning is a mindset. They have to believe they can do it. Coming from behind on the road against a good Merrimack team, showed a ton of character. Couldn't be prouder of how hard they battled." - Head Coach Matt Micros 

Game Day Captains:  Anna Ludkiewicz, Mia Sansanelli, Grace O'Hara and Desiree Crawford.