ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's soccer team will host the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship game on Saturday, November 5 at 1:00 PM
This will be the Knights first CSAC Championship contest. Neumann moved on from the semifinals on Wednesday 4-2 on penalty kicks. Neumann and Centenary played to a 0-0 after 110 minutes of play.
Neumann, the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, will host Cabrini College, the No. 4 seed. Cabrini defeated No. 1 seeded Marywood 3-2 in the semifinals.
Cabrini defeated Neumann 1-0 in the lone meeting of the season.
There are a lot of things that are unfamiliar to the women's soccer team season, such as being the No.2 seed. It was the Knights coming out party last year, as they made the playoffs for the first time in school history. This season, CSAC Coach of the Year Jeremy Brodovsky guided the team to a 12-5-1 overall record, while amassing a breath taking 9-2 mark in conference play. The 12 wins this season surpasses previous high of eight wins.
It can be stated that getting a free pass to the semi-finals is well received and well-deserved. What is familiar to the women's soccer team is their ability to win games this regular season. After losing 10-1 against Rowan University early in the season, the Knights have been simply marvelous. Senior Hopkins has scored three game-winning goals to boost the team, not bad for a center back. Freshman Ashley Hawkins, the CSAC Rookie of the Year, has scored six goals, eight assist and three game-winning goals to accumulate 20 points. Freshman Brianna King has stepped in as the starting goalkeeper and holds a 0.96 goals-against-average and a 7-2-1 overall record.
The Knights take part in a refreshing style of play, keeping possession of the ball while remaining dangerous on the attack. An area of improvement has come on set pieces, taking advantage of scoring off corners and free kicks. The scoring has been well distributed throughout the team with Hawkin's six goals and Allie McNeill chipping in five goals. Tonia Russo and Hopkins have claimed four goals and Alexis Tiernan whipped in three goals for the Knights. Megan Malstrom, Maria Tivovi and Nica Meccariello dominate the midfield with their hard work and ball distribution. The Dynamic Duo (Stacie Bolgunas and Hopkins) will look to shut the door on the Cyclones attack, along with Jordyn Agresta and Tiernan on the outside back.
The winner of the game received the automatic qualifier from the conference and will competed in the NCAA Tournament next week.
