Siena Makes History with MAAC Women's Soccer Championship Final Win
MAAC Sports
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Sixth seeded Siena College extended its winning streak to six straight after defeating second seeded Manhattan College 5-2 in the 2015 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship final at Hesse Field on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The Saints become the league’s first ever sixth seed to win the championship.
Just 42 seconds into action, Siena’s Allison Clark found the back of the net on a header off a cross from Tara Sobierajski. Moments later at the seventh minute mark, Meghan Riccardi gave Kristen Connors a pass across the box, setting up the second goal of the day for the Saints, giving Siena a 2-0 lead. Siena would strike again on the one timer at the 20th minute from Madison Vasquez on a square pass to the top of the box from Riccardi, extending the Siena advantage to 3-0. Manhattan responded at the 29th minute on a one-on-one with the goalie score from Erica Modena, cutting the score to 3-1. Siena’s three first half goals, were the most that Manhattan had surrendered all season.
In the second half, Siena struck again at the 48th minute, on a one timer by Kensey Waterman off an assist from Clark, extending the Saints lead back up to three at, 4-1. The Saints would add on one more goal from Connors in the 73rd on a header from a Sobierajski corner, giving the Saints a 5-1 advantage. Manhattan would pull out one more final goal by Emily Center at the 76th minute, making it a 5-2 match. Manhattan would have three more shot opportunities but failed to score another goal in the match, giving Siena its second MAAC title in program history.
Manhattan, the top defense in the MAAC, had not given up more than two goals in a match all season and only surrendered nine total goals heading into the championship final.
Winning goalkeeper Liz Rogan made four saves in the game for Siena, while MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year, Kristen Skonieczny finished the night with three saves for the Jaspers.
The match also produced a MAAC championship final record for most goals by the winning team (5) and most combined goals (7).
The Siena College Saints (12-6-3) will receive the leagues automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.
Manhattan College, who advanced to the final of the MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship for the first time in program history, ends its season at 11-5-3.
The NCAA Selection Show for DI Women’s Soccer will air on NCAA.com on Monday, November 9 at 4:30 p.m.
2015 MAAC WOMEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
|
MVP – Allison Clark
|
Siena
|
|
Kristen Connors
|
Siena
|
|
Kirby O’Keefe
|
Siena
|
|
Madison Vasquez
|
Siena
|
|
Erica Modena
|
Manhattan
|
|
Taylor Salkowsky
|
Manhattan
|
|
Kristen Skonieczny
|
Manhattan
|
|
Kourtney Cunningham
|
Rider
|
|
Ellie Smith
|
Rider
|
|
Alexis McTamney
|
Monmouth
|
|
Erica Murphy
|
Monmouth
|