Middlebury Blanks Stevens
HOBOKEN, N.J. (November 13, 2016) – The Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team saw its season come to a close Sunday night after a 2-0 loss to Middlebury in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The loss ends Stevens' season at 19-2-0, while Middlebury (15-5) will move on to the Sweet 16 against Messiah.
Seniors
Gabby Mathelier and
Raba Nassif each tallied three shots on goal, while junior keeper
Lindsey Mahnken converted six saves.
Each team fired 15 shots on goal with Middlebury holding the edge in shots on goal, 8-5.
Defense dominated early on for both squads as Stevens had just two shots over the match's first 18 minutes. Nassif put the first on goal in minute 23, but the effort was easily saved by Middlebury keeper Ursula Alwang.
The Panthers responded with pressure of their own in the form of two shots just past the midpoint of the half, before breaking through in 43rd with go-ahead goal. Nassif attempted to answer shortly after, but her shot fell into the hands of Alwang as Stevens went into the half down one.
Middlebury added one more early in the second, to which Stevens responded with two straight shots including junior
Sammy Mount's which banged off the crossbar. Mathelier unleashed a rocket of her own in the 73rd, but Alwang made the save the preserve her team's lead.
Sophomore
Zisi Komar hit the post again for Stevens with seven minutes left on the clock, before sophomore
Misha Brewster's header went just wide of the goal in what was Stevens' last opportunity of the match.