Box
Score
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Norwich University
women's soccer team clinched the 2008 Great Northeast Athletic
Conference regular season title on Saturday afternoon with its 1-1
double overtime tie versus Johnson & Wales. The Cadets' tie
coupled with St. Joseph (Conn.)'s loss gave NU the league
championship.
Sophomore forward Nikki Szczepanski got Norwich (13-4-1, 9-2-1
GNAC) on the scoreboard early in the first half, tallying an
unassisted goal from 18 yards out at the 5:10 mark. The two teams
battled throughout the remainder of the first half and headed into
halftime with Norwich holding a 1-0 lead.
Johnson & Wales (9-7-2, 6-3-2 GNAC) responded early in the
second half when freshman Amanda Aguiar collected a loose ball in
front of the net and fed fellow freshman Caroline Brion, who put in
a shot from six yards out to tie the game 1-1 at the 56:36
mark.
The Wildcats controlled much of the action in the second half,
holding a 10-3 edge in shots in the stanza, but they were unable to
score a second goal. JWU carried the play in both overtime periods,
but they could not convert as Norwich held on for the tie.
Norwich sophomore goalkeeper Nicki Hunsicker made three stops,
including a huge save on a JWU penalty kick, en route to picking up
the victory in the Cadets' goal.
Johnson & Wales outshot Norwich, 20-8, and the Wildcats held
a 5-0 edge in corner kicks.
"Our entire defense played outstanding today," said Norwich head
coach Tyler Renaud. "Ashley Sanford played a great game back there
for us, and obviously Nicki Hunsicker made the play of the day on
the penalty shot. I could not be more proud of this group. They
fought hard all season long, and to win the GNAC regular season
title is special. Now we turn our attention to the conference
tournament."
Norwich returns to action when the Cadets host a GNAC Tournament
quarterfinal game. The opponent and match date/time has not been
released at this time.
