BANGOR, Maine – The Husson University women's soccer team is headed to the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament for the first time in 15 years after it defeated SUNY Delhi by a score of 4-0 in the North Atlantic Conference Championship game on Saturday afternoon at Boucher Field.
Husson (13-7-1) found the back of the net four minutes into the contest, as a clearance attempt from Delhi (11-6) went only as far as senior Kate Harriman, who took a touch in front of her and blasted a left-footed shot over the head of the goalkeeper and into the goal to give the Eagles an early lead.
Junior Devon St. Louis gave Husson a two-goal edge in the 14th minute, as sophomore Rylee Speed played a low, hard ball that fought its way through the wind towards the penalty spot. The Delhi goalkeeper looked to corral the ball, but it deflected off of her body and onto the foot of St. Louis who gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead.
After carrying its 2-0 lead into halftime, Harriman posted her seventh goal of the conference tournament in the 59th minute, as senior Natalie Aviolla dribbled towards the end line and played a ball across the six-yard box. St. Louis managed to redirect the ball enough to find Harriman directly in front of the goal to put the Eagles up by three.
Aviolla put the finishing touches on a four-goal win for Husson in the 79th minute, as she weaved her way through the defense of the Broncos and drilled a shot across her body and into the left corner of the net to close-out the scoring.
Husson outshot Delhi 17-3 for the game and held an 11-1 edge in shots on goal and a 10-0 edge in corner kicks.
Senior Hannah Kenney and junior Madison Weigler both saw time in the goal for the Eagles, as Kenney saved one shot in 63 minutes, while Weigler was not forced to make a save in her time between the posts.
Harriman was named the MVP of the tournament, while graduate student Lindsey Russell, senior Mackenzie Lambert and junior Caley Nault each earned spots on the all-tournament team.
Husson will find out its opponent, game time and location on Monday during the women's soccer selection show at 2 p.m. on the NCAA website.