#22 Women's Soccer to Battle #10 Saint Rose in NCAA Regional Semifinals Sunday
ALBANY, NY- The #22 Merrimack women's soccer team will look to avenge a 5-1 loss at Saint Rose in the Northeast-10 Tournament finals when it takes to the pitch against the #10 Golden Knights in the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals Sunday afternoon. The Warriors head into the match with a 16-3-2 overall record while the hosts own a 19-1-1 mark on the year.
Merrimack, the third-seed in the East Region, advanced to the regional semifinals after edging sixth-seeded Holy Family 5-3 in penalty kicks November 11. The Warriors and Tigers were deadlocked at 1-1 after 110 minutes of action, sending the match to a shootout to determine the victor.
In the shootout, Merrimack converted on all five attempts to move on. Jordan Schnopp (Dalton, MA), Jessica Peacock (Hopedale, MA), Jamie Alnwick (Groton, MA), Melissa Garabedian (Salem, MA) and Danielle Dion (North Grosvenordale, CT) all buried penalty kicks for the Warriors.
Merrimack is 1-1-0 against Saint Rose this season. The Warriors are the only team to defeat the Golden Knights this fall, posting a 3-0 victory at home in the regular season. Saint Rose topped Merrimack in the finals of the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament 5-1 in Albany just one week prior.
The Warriors are led by Jenna Zechner (Billerica, MA) with 19 points on eight goals and three assists. Dion ranks second on the team with 18 points, tallying eight markers and adding two helpers this year. She has netted three goals this season against Saint Rose, two in the regular season meeting and the lone marker in the playoffs.
Kiley Horne (Scituate, MA) has started all 21 contests in goal for Merrimack in 2011. She boasts a 0.90 goals-against average with nine shutouts to her credit.
Five players earned Northeast-10 All-Conference accolades this season, headlined by Peacock who was named the 2011 Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year as well as being a first team selection. Dion collected her second-consecutive All-Conference nod this fall, earning first team honors.
Sarah Coakley (Medway, MA) and Horne were both tabbed to the All-Conference third team. Katie Bresciani (Hopedale, MA) and Coakley were All-Rookie picks this season.
Merrimack is in its 11th NCAA Tournament and is making its ninth trip to the regional semifinals. The Warriors have advanced to four regional finals all-time and claimed the regional crown in 1996.
