Women's Soccer Defeats Lock Haven 3-1 in Shootout for Northeast Region Title

Nov. 17, 2002

Lock Haven, Penn. - Adelphi University (17-1-2) captured the NCAA Division II Northeast Region crown this afternoon, winning in a shootout scenario, 3-1, following four scoreless periods of battle against Lock Haven University (16-3-1) at Foundation Field in Lock Haven, Pa. It is the first regional title for Adelphi since 1997, when the Panthers defeated East Stroudsburg University, 3-1.

Neck-and-neck the entire way, Adelphi and Lock Haven both came up scoreless after two regulation periods and two more overtime frames of play. Both teams had their scoring opportunities, LHU getting off 15 shots and Adelphi 12, but in both cases were saved by big defensive stops by keepers Heather Ireland (Sarnia, Ontario/Northern NCIVS) and Andrea Fasano (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset). Near misses also haunted the Panthers and Lady Eagles, including a shot directly in front of the goal by LHU's Erika Schneider (Mechanicsburg/Cumberland Valley) that went just high over the net in the 23rd minute and a shot by Adelphi's Luciana Pace (Bellmore, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) that clanged off the crossbar in the 55th minute of action.

In the overtime periods, Lock Haven held much of the momentum in the initial extra stanza, taking three good looks on goal that were stopped by Fasano. The Panthers began to gather steam generated from the crucial keeper saves, and by the second overtime had stolen the momentum away from the Lady Eagles. Still, LHU's Ireland batted away two of three Adelphi shots in the period, forcing the shootout.

Lock Haven went first in the five-deep shootout order. Alternating shots, Adelphi jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals by Josephine Coiro (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) and Jennifer Garone (West Hempstead, N.Y./West Hempstead). Lock Haven made it 2-1, then the Panthers answered with another, by Josefa Pace (Bellmore, N.Y./Our Lady of Mercy) for the 3-1 lead. The next kick by LHU was again stopped by Fasano, putting an end to the Lady Eagles' chances to fight back from behind and giving Adelphi the shootout victory.

Next up, Adelphi will face Franklin Pierce College (17-0-2) in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Sunday, November 24 at 1:00 pm.

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