Newport News, Va. - Sophomore Cecelia Wager scored her second goal of the season just two minutes into the second half to lead the Vassar College Women's Soccer team to its first ever NCAA Championship victory on Saturday evening as the Brewers beat St. Mary's Maryland 1-0 on the campus of Christopher Newport University.
First-year Laura Shea earned the shutout in goal for the Brewers and Vassar outshot the Seahawks 17-4 in the contest.
Vassar's victory moves the Brewers to 12-3-5 overall on the season and Vassar advances to the NCAA Second Round tomorrow afternoon against host #2 Christopher Newport at 3:00 p.m.
How It Happened
- St. Mary's-Maryland had the first strong chance nine minutes into the game as Ashlyn Bonner's shot glanced off the right post and out to keep it scoreless.
- The Brewers registered three shots on net in the opening 45 minutes as junior Riley McGrath, first year Alice Crowley and first year Liv Ivie each collected strong opportunities.
- Following a scoreless first half that saw the Brewers outshoot St. Mary's 9-2, Wager buried the first goal of the contest following a corner kick from junior Rebecca Rodriguez and a header in the box from McGrath just two minutes into the second half.
- Crowley fired a shot on net eight and a half minutes into the half as Seahawks keeper Kyleigh Bland made a strong save to keep the game at 1-0.
- Shea made her lone save of the game on a shot from Flora Katz-Starr from distance 10 minutes into the second period.
- The Brewers dominated the final 35 minutes of action with St. Mary's attempting just one shot during the period.
- Vassar collected its ninth shutout of the season en route to earning its first NCAA Tournament victory in program history.
For The Brewers
- Wager tallied her second goal of the season to push her point total to six on the year.
- Rodriguez recorded her fourth assist of the year and is now tied for second on the team in helpers.
- McGrath's assist was her fourth of the season and ties her for third on the team in points with 12.
- Crowley registered five shots on the day with three of them being on target.
- Shea picked up her fifth shutout of the season and made one save in goal.
For The Seahawks
- Katz-Starr recorded the lone shot on goal while Megan Rusk, Bonner and Makayla Marvray each tallied a shot.
- Bland made seven saves in net in the loss for St. Mary's Maryland.
Game Statistics
- Vassar outshot the Seahawks 17-4, including 8-1 on goal.
- The Brewers recorded all five corner kicks taken in the contest.
What's Next
- Vassar advances to the second round to take on #2 Christopher Newport tomorrow afternoon. Kick-off with the Captains is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Captains Field.