Wilkes Women's Soccer Earns Program's First Top Seed with 2-1 Victory at Manhattanville
PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Wilkes University women's soccer team closed out the regular season by earning its first Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom No. 1 seed in program history with a 2-1 come-from-behind win at Manhattanville College Saturday afternoon.
Freshmen
Catherine Gregoire (New Cumberland, PA/Trinity) and
Elise Brubaker (Northumberland, PA/Shikellamy) scored goals in the second half as the Lady Colonels erased a 1-0 halftime deficit.
With the victory Wilkes, the No. 7 team in the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Region, finished at 5-1-1 in MAC Freedom action and atop the standings. The Lady Colonels, who are 12-2-3 overall, will host No. 4 seed Eastern at Schmidt Stadium on Tuesday, October 31 at a time to be determined in the semifinals of the MAC Freedom Tournament.
Manhattanville (3-10-1, 0-7-0) was able to take the lead with a goal in the 33
rd minute when Ashley Pacheco scored from 25 yards out. The Lady Colonels had outshot the Valiants seven to one up to that point and continued to keep the pressure on after the goal.
Wilkes was able to even the game with a goal by Gregoire in the 52
nd minute. Her shot from 35 yards out found its way into the net after a misplay by the Manhattanville goalkeeper. It was the second goal of the season for the freshman.
Brubaker connected for the game-winner at the 83:32 mark curving a shot into the upper-right of the goal from 25 yards out. It was the first career goal for the freshman. Senior
Micaela Oliverio (Carlisle, PA/Trinity) and junior
Emily Wirth (Vestal, NY/Vestal) picked up assists on the play. It was the first assist of the season for Oliverio and the second for Wirth.
After taking the lead the Lady Colonels did not allow another Valiants shot attempt in the final six minutes of play. Junior
Courtney Stanley (Yardville, NJ/Steinert) earned the victory with two saves for the Lady Colonels.
Wilkes held the 19-6 lead in shots and the 10-3 shots on goal advantage. Wilkes also earned six corners to one for Manhattanville.
The Lady Colonels head into postseason play after only allowing 10 goals in 17 regular season games.
