'BROCKTON, MA. -- The Keene State College women's soccer team ended its record-breaking 2002 season with a 3-1 loss to top seed Wheaton College in the Championship game of the NCAA Division III New England Regional Tournament Sunday at Rocky Marciano Stadium in Brockton, Massachusetts. The game was moved to a neutral site due to unplayable field conditions at Wheaton's Elms Field. With the victory, Wheaton captures its first regional championship and advance to next Saturday's national quarterfinal round against William Smith College. Improving to 22-1 overall, the Lyons extended their winning streak to 19 consecutive games, while the Owls suffered their first defeat in 12 contests and finish the season with a record of 20-3-1, a school record for victories in a season.
In the opening half, Keene State attacked early and often, but the Owls were unable to convert on any opportunities. Midway through the stanza, Wheaton matched Keene State's intensity as the Lyons had two open looks from sophomore Erin Brennan (Mesa, AZ/Xavier College Prep) and junior Christy McHugh (Salem, MA/Bishop Fenwick). In the 19th minute, Wheaton was able to open the scoring when junior forward Tracy Prihoda (Needham, MA/Needham) posted her team-leading 30th goal of the season. Prihoda trapped the ball outside the 18-yard line, beat two Owl defenders to her left and finished by striking a beautifully-placed left-footed strike to the bottom right corner of the net.
Eleven minutes later, the Lyons tacked on their second goal of the contest, thanks to a perfectly-placed shot from McHugh. From 20 yards out on the right side of the field, McHugh bent her shot over the outstretched reach of Keene sophomore goalie Michelle Mason (Fairport, NY/Fairport) and into the upper left netting for the 2-0 advantage. The Owls had an opportunity to close the gap in the final minutes of the half when Keene State midfielder Jennifer Ortisi (Allenstown, NH/Bishop Bradly) drove a high shot toward the net. Wheaton junior goalkeeper Jessica Broomhead (Barrington, RI/Barrington) punched the ball over the crossbar to preserve the 2-0 lead at the half.
Following the intermission, the Lyons had a great opportunity to extend their advantage to three goals on a Brennan left-footed shot, but Mason was there to make the diving stop. Keene State's offense responded in the 60th minute, as Owl senior forward Suzanne Heinkel (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) cut the deficit in half. Heinkel managed to get deep into the Wheaton zone alongside sophomore Elizabeth Vachon (Amherst, NH/Souhegan). Heinkel received a short pass in the goal box from Vachon and lifted her shot over the diving effort of Broomhead.
The Lyons didn't waste anytime answering the call, as junior Sheila Lacambra (Walnut Creek, CA/Northgate) pushed the Wheaton lead back to two goals. Following a Brennan shot and Mason save, Prihoda used a soft header to find Lacambra, who then drilled her shot over Mason's reach for the 3-1 lead. The Lyons' defense the maintained their solid play, keeping the Owls' attack in tact while running out the clock to capture the win. Broomhead was credited with three saves, while Mason finished with six stops. The Lyons outshot the Owls, 14-10, with Keene holding a 6-1 edge in corner kicks.
"We played hard for 90 minutes, but its was tough coming back from a two-goal deficit, " said KSC Coach Denise Lyons. " No one expected us to go as far as we did in the Tournament, and we proved a lot of people wrong. It was a great experience for the entire team, a great accomplishment that we can build on next season."
