NCAA Run Ends for UNCW, Hofstra, W&M

11/20/2015 10:52:21 PM

Kelly McCarthy

Hofstra, UNCW, William & Mary saw their impressive seasons come to an end as all three teams fell to the top-ranked teams in the nation in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.

The 2015 campaign was an historic one for the CAA. Not only was it the first time in league history in which four teams qualified for the NCAA Championship, but it was the first time since 2008 in which three CAA teams advanced to the second round of the tournament.

#9 RUTGERS 2, HOFSTRA 0 | Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Ninth-ranked Rutgers scored two goals in the opening 20 minutes to take control as Hofstra fell, 2-0, to the Scarlet Knights in the second round of the NCAA Championship on Friday night at Yurcak Field. Rutgers, a two-seed, capitalized on a Hofstra own goal and Brianne Reed scored her first of the season to give the Scarlet Knights (18-3-2) the victory in the round-of-32. Rutgers goalkeeper Casey Murphy made two saves to notch her Division I-leading 17th shutout. Hofstra (13-6-2) received a gutty performance from three-time CAA Player of the Year Leah Galton who played 71 minutes with a torn quad muscle. Galton finishes her career as Hofstra's all-time points leader (122). Her 48 career goals are second on the team’s all-time list and her 26 career assists are tied for the program lead.

#1 VIRGINIA 2, UNCW 0 | Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – Junior goalkeeper Carolyn Huddy made a season-high 10 saves, but it was not enough as UNCW dropped a 2-0 decision against top-ranked Virginia in the second round of the NCAA Championship at Klöckner Stadium on Friday evening. The loss ends the Seahawks' season with a 15-7-1 record while upping Virginia's mark to 18-1-2. After a scoreless first half, the Cavaliers took a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute when junior midfielder Alexis Shaffer blasted an 18-yard shot into the top left corner of the goal. Just over 10 minutes later, senior forward Makenzy Doniak upped the advantage to 2-0 when she converted a four-yard shot past Huddy.

#5 FLORIDA 5, WILLIAM & MARY 2 | Box Score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Tribe battled to the wire, but fell at No. 5 Florida, 5-2, on Friday night in the second eound of the NCAA Championship. Sophomore Rachel Moore and senior Leci Irvin scored in the match for the Green and Gold. With the decision, the Tribe concludes the season with a 14-5-3 record, while the Gators, a two-seed, improves to 19-3-1. Florida took the lead with the 40th minute and scored back-to-back goals a minute a part in the 59th and 60th minute. The Gators went on to their fourth goal of the night in the 71st minute. W&M wouldn't quit and got one back thanks to hard work in the box in 76th minute. Junior Kady Kriner was trying to clear space in the box, and was taken down by a Gator defender, earning a penalty kick. Moore stepped to the penalty spot and fired home the PK. Florida answered the first W&M goal with its fifth of the match in the 77th minute. Again, W&M responded and scored the night's final goal in the 87th minute. Senior Nicole Baxter sent a through ball into the box, that Irvin ran and tracked down. The senior raced to nine-yards and fired her shot into the back of the net. Irvin's third marker of the season, cut the score to 5-2. Senior goalkeeper Caroline Casey recorded five saves for the Green and Gold in the match to finish her Tribe with 303 career saves. She is only the second player in school history to record 300 saves.