Nazareth women's soccer team competes in NCAA Tournament
The Nazareth College women’s soccer team competed against Endicott College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament this past Saturday at Golden Flyer Stadium.
“For everyone, and especially us seniors it was definitely a goal to make it to NCAA’s,” said Rachel Cushman, a senior forward and midfielder for the Nazareth women’s soccer team. “I think this year is different because of our team chemistry. Our entire team is like best friends, we do everything together.”
The women’s soccer team made it to NCAA tournament play with an at large bid for their strength of schedule and their quality of play against ranked teams.
As for the team mentality going into tournament play, “crush. That’s our team motto,” said Cushman, Friday before the game. “From here on out it’s a fresh season. We know we’re good; we just need to stick with each other and support each other. We know we can win.”
Saturday’s scoreless game between Nazareth and Endicott appeared to be headed to penalty kicks as each team squandered numerous overtime-scoring chances. In the 110th and final minute Endicott’s Allyson Bellemore sent a pass through the Nazareth defense to Colleen Pepin, who beat Nazareth keeper Hillary Simon for the game-winning score with only 25 seconds left in the second overtime period.
Endicott outshot Nazareth 18-9 over the first 90 minutes of regulation play. In overtime, Nazareth had seven shots to Endicott’s five. Endicott goalie Amy Meuse made 11 saves for her eighth shutout of the season, while Simon finished with a season-high 13 saves for the Golden Flyers.
The Nazareth women’s soccer team finished the season at 12-8-1 overall and 7-1-0 in the Empire 8 conference.
