Northeastern Tops W&M 4-0 In Women's Soccer Semis

11/7/2014 8:29:51 PM

Rob Washburn

Boxscore | Women's Soccer #CAAChamps Central | Photos (credit: Jim Pierce)

BROOKLINE, Mass (November 7, 2014) – Top-seeded Northeastern scored a pair of goals in each half and recorded its NCAA-best 15^th shutout in a convincing 4-0 triumph over No. 4 William & Mary in the semifinals of the CAA Women’s Soccer Championship on Friday night at chilly Parsons Field.

The Huskies (13-4-3), who captured the CAA championship in 2013, will try to make it two in a row when they face No. 3 Hofstra in the title game at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The contest will be televised live on the American Sports Network. William & Mary closed its season with a 12-6-1 record.

Northeastern matched its season-high for goals in a game this season and used a balanced attack as four different players scored. The Huskies, who have given up just six goals in 20 contests this year, were equally as dominant defensively. NU out-shot the Tribe 13-8 in the contest, including 10-3 in the first half.

Northeastern had several quality scoring chances in the first half, including a free kick from Breeana Koemans that hit the crossbar, before finally getting on the board in the 34^th minute. A corner kick from Huskies’ freshman Hannah Lopiccolo resulted in a scramble for a loose ball in front of the net. Midfielder Carina Deandreis was able to make to make a sliding pass out to senior Bianca Calderone, who found the net from 10 yards away for her third goal of the year.

The Huskies increased their lead to 2-0 in the 43^rd minute. Freshman Kayla Cappuzzo got open on the right wing and hooked a 24-yard shot just inside the left post for her fourth goal of the season.

NU kept the pressure on in the second half. Junior forward Shayna Blackwood pushed the Huskies’ advantage to 3-0 in the 63^rd minute when she was able to control a failed clear in the left side of the box and loft a shot over Tribe goalkeeper Caroline Casey.

The Huskies tacked on their final goal in the 69^th minute. Sophomore Mackenzie Dowd was able to win the battle for a loose ball in the box and poked an 8-yard shot into the net. It was her team-leading sixth goal of the season.

NU goalkeeper Paige Burnett made six saves in recording the shutout, while Casey stopped three shots for W&M.

Hofstra defeated Northeastern 1-0 in their regular-season matchup on Oct. 11, which was the Huskies’ only CAA setback this season. The contest matches the CAA’s top offensive team in the Pride against the league’s top defensive team in the Huskies.