Nov. 7, 2008
2008 Patriot League Women's Soccer Championship page
Annapolis, Md. - Archrivals Army and Navy will meet for the Women's Soccer Championship for the first time in Patriot League history on Sunday at 1 p.m., as the Mids defeated Colgate 1-0 in overtime in the first semifinal game and Army sent Bucknell home after winning a shootout 5-4 on penalty kicks on Friday night in Annapolis. It was the first time in Patriot League history that both semifinal games of the Tournament required extra periods to determine the Championship slate. Navy is playing for its third straight League title, while Army will contend for the title for the first time since 2005.
In a rematch of last week's Patriot League season finale that saw the Mids eek out a 1-0 victory in Hamilton, top-seed Navy (15-3-3) came out very active on offense, taking eight first-half shots including a near-goal by senior midfielder Julie Reynolds 20 minutes into the period. But the No. 4 seed Raiders (7-11-1) came back in the second period with seven shots of their own, with Colgate's defense limiting the Mids to only two shots that period. Colgate's First-Team All-Patriot League selection Jillian Arnault nearly scored with just over one minute left in regulation from 20 yards out, but Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Lizzie Barnes made a lunging stop to keep the game scoreless. Colgate's freshman goalkeeper Rebecca Michlin made five saves through regulation, while Barnes made three of her own as the game was sent into overtime.
Just 5:52 into overtime, Navy's Second-Team All-Patriot League senior forward Kristen Laraway streaked down the left side of the field and took a shot that Colgate's Michlin pushed off the right post. But Navy freshman Kate Herren stayed with the play the whole way and knocked in the game-winning goal that gave the Mids their 15th win of the season and sent them to the Patriot League Championship game for the third year in a row.
"I was just in the right place at the time," said Herren of her 96th-minute game-winner. "Kristen really made a terrific run and I thought her shot was headed in. I had fallen behind the play a bit and as soon as I saw it hit the post, I jumped on it."
"I think it was a very entertaining match to watch - both teams were attacking all-out and there was endline-to-endline action all throughout," said Navy Head Coach Carin Gabarra. "In the first half I think we created some good chances that we didn't put away, but we kept going after it."
The second game of the evening was as hotly contested as the first, as the fates of No. 3 seed Army (11-5-3) and No. 2 seed Bucknell (11-6-3) came down to penalty kicks after scoreless regulation and double-overtime periods. Bucknell's high-powered offense came out firing in the first half, with the Bison taking seven shots to Army's three. The Black Knights fired back in the second half, taking six shots. But the game remained scoreless through regulation and sent the match into overtime. In the first overtime period, Army First-Team All-Patriot League selection Dymon Washington took three of the Black Knights' five shots, but Bucknell goalkeeper Kathryn Sutton made three saves to keep the scoreless tie intact. After being outshot 5-1 in the first overtime, the Bison defense clamped down in the second overtime period and did not allow a shot. Bucknell took four shots in the period, including one on goal by Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Jennifer Dervarics. But the Bison could not break the tie, sending a semifinal game into penalty kicks for the first time since 2005.
In the shootout period, both the Black Knights and the Bison made their first two kicks each before Chelsea McGorry of Bucknell missed the third Bison kick. Army's Molly Byrnes had a chance to go ahead, but missed her penalty shot, leaving the game tied up at 2-2. Bucknell's Nicole Marotta gave the Bison a 3-2 advantage after the Byrnes miss, and Army's Deanna Clegg missed her kick. Bucknell's Caitlin Holtz missed her penalty kick as well, but Army junior defender Elizabeth Betterbed knocked hers in, sending the Black Knights and the Bison into a 3-3 tie. The penalty kicks remained tied up at 4-4 until McGorry missed her penalty kick, giving Army a chance to wrap it up on the ensuing kick. And Army senior Caroline Miller did not miss, sending the Black Knights to their first Patriot League title game since 2005.
"It was an example of how we have played all season long," said outgoing Army Head Coach Gene Ventriglia. "We have a great defensive team that came up big again tonight."
The championship match will be the 19th all-time meeting between Army and Navy, with Navy holding a 9-7-2 edge over the Black Knights. The previous meeting between Army and Navy this season resulted in a scoreless tie.
"This will be another tough battle," Ventriglia said. "It was a great game when we played earlier this season and I expect another spectacular performance on Sunday."
The 2008 Patriot League Women's Soccer Championship will be streamed live for $9.95 via the Patriot League's All-Access Package on Sunday at 1 p.m. The commentary for the games will be provided by Navy commentators Pete Medhurst and Joe Miller. To access the Patriot League All-Access Package, please go to PatriotLeague.com.
