Women's Soccer Ready For NCAA Debut

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's soccer team has spent the week preparing for Saturday's first round match-up against Wheaton College in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship. Live stats and an audio broadcast will be available for the game (click on links above).

The Mariners, who will be making their NCAA postseason debut, will meet the Lyons for the first time in the schools' histories. The match will be played on the campus of Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn. [directions] Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $6 for adults and $3 for students (with valid ID) and senior citizens. Eastern will host Worcester State University in the day's first match at noon.

Mitchell (10-7-1 overall) punched its ticket to the NCAA Championship by earning the New England Collegiate Conference's automatic bid. The Mariners defeated Lesley University in the title game of the NECC Championship last weekend by a 2-1 final. Mitchell brings a season-high five-game winning streak into Saturday's contest.

Mitchell's offense is paced by all-conference selections Nikkie Hoxie and Caley McClendon. Hoxie, the NECC Player of the Year, has netted 11 goals and added a pair of assists for 24 points in 18 games. McClendon, who scored the game-winning goal in the NECC title game, leads the team in scoring with 12 goals and three assists for 27 points.

All-conference senior Paige Ehnot and freshman Nina Giansanti shore up a defensive unit that has allowed only one goal over the last five games. Rookie goalkeeper Kaylee Woodford, also an all-conference pick, has posted six shutouts on the season.

Wheaton (16-4-2 overall) is making its 11th straight appearance in the NCAA Championship. The Lyons opened the season with a nine-game unbeaten streak and had won five straight games heading into the NEWMAC semifinals before losing 2-1 to Springfield College. Wheaton was one of 20 Pool C (at-large) selections for the NCAA field and is currently ranked sixth in the New England region. The Lyons hold a record of 13-10-1 in NCAA play under 14th-year head coach Luis Reis.

Holding a 54-16 scoring advantage with a 0.71 goals-against average and 10 shutouts, the Lyons are led by senior back Alessia Viscomi. The lone player to have started all 22 games, Viscomi anchors a Wheaton defense that has limited opponents to a goal or less in 19 of 22 games. Offensively, Viscomi ranks fourth on the team in scoring with 14 points.

Senior Emily Hough paces the offensive unit with 27 points with team highs of seven assists and 10 goals. Hough is among Wheaton's all-time leaders in goals, assists and points. Sophomore Cassey Muse and freshman Rebecca Raymond have contributed 24 and 21 points, respectively, with three game-winners each, while junior Jessica Stuart has added 12 points.

Saturday's other first round match features Eastern and Worcester State. Eastern, ranked second in the New England region and 14th in the nation, is making its second straight and fifth overall NCAA appearance. Worcester State is making its first NCAA appearance since 2007 and fifth overall. Eastern leads the all-time series with a record of 3-0-1 against Worcester State.

Eastern (15-0-4 overall) went unbeaten in the regular season for the first time in the program's 25-year history. The Warriors were an at-large selection, however, after being eliminated in the semifinals of the Little East Conference tournament on penalty kicks by UMass Boston. Eastern is 0-4-0 in its four previous trips to the NCAA Championship.

In its last NCAA appearance, Worcester State (10-5-4 overall) won two NCAA matches to advance to the Sweet 16, where it was eliminated in double overtime. The Lancers gained the MASCAC's automatic bid with a 1-0 home win over Bridgewater State University last weekend.

The winners of each first round match will meet in Sunday's second round at 2 p.m.