Women's Soccer Wins NECC Championship

CAMBRIDGE, MA – Mitchell College topped defending New England Collegiate Conference women's soccer champion Lesley University, 2-1, Saturday evening to earn its first NECC title and a berth in the NCAA Championship.

With the score tied at 1-1 late in the contest, freshman Caley McClendon netted the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute to put Mitchell on top. The Mariners then held on for the final minutes, and when time finally ran out the team and its fans began a raucous celebration.

Head coach Damian Houlden and his team will learn their NCAA Championship opponent on Monday morning when the field of 63 is announced. The women's soccer team will be the first in school history to represent the college in NCAA postseason competition.

"I'm so proud of our team," said Houlden. "After we lost to Lesley in the title game last year, I asked the team if they were willing to put in the work and effort it would take to get back here. We used that as motivation for this season, and to their credit they remained focused and worked hard to reach their goal."

The game got off to a rough start for the Mariners. Lesley's Jackee Sanchez fired a shot from six yards out to give the Lynx an early 1-0 advantage at 1:57. For the freshman, it was her team-leading eighth goal of the year and second of the postseason.

The lead lasted but moments, as Mitchell evened the score on a shot by sophomore Lauren Fritsch that was assisted by McClendon. The goal, which came in the fifth minute, was Fritsch's second of the season. The teams exchanged shots for the rest of the half, going into intermission tied 1-1 and even in the shots department at 6-6.

 Lesley, which topped Daniel Webster in penalty kicks at Edward Field on Thursday, looked destined for its third overtime period in as many nights. At 82:04, however, McClendon scored from 25 yards out on an open net when Lynx goalkeeper Corinne Dasti ventured out of the box, giving the Mariners a one-goal lead with seven minutes remaining.

Behind freshman goalkeeper Kaylee Woodford, who grabbed a game-high six saves, the Mariners held the lead. Following the contest, junior Angie Smith was named the Championship's Most Valuable Player and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by McClendon, junior Shannen Pelletier and freshman Nina Giansanti.


2010 NECC Women's Soccer All-Tournament Team

Most Valuable Player: Angie Smith, Mitchell, Jr., M

Daniel Webster: Amy Waller, Jr., GK
Daniel Webster: Kim Lemire, Sr., F
Elms: Christina Goodchild, Fr., M
Elms: Jennifer Killion, Jr., F
Lesley: Katharine Bradley, So, M
Lesley: Jamie Coyne, So., M
Lesley: Dory LeCount, Sr., D
Lesley: Jackee Sanchez, Fr., M
Mitchell: Caley McClendon, Fr., F
Mitchell: Shannen Pelletier, Jr,. M
Mitchell: Nina Giansanti, Fr,. D