Frostburg State wins ECAC Division III South Women's Soccer Championship
(Courtesy of Frostburg State Sports
Information)
FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State women's soccer
team has waged some memorable battles with its conference rivals
from Stevenson, and Sunday's ECAC South Regional Championship was
no exception. After 90 more minutes of hard-fought soccer,
Frostburg State earned bragging rights with a 1-0 title-clinching
victory at Bobcat Stadium.
Stevenson (14-6-3) controlled the play for much of the first 25
minutes of action with Brandy Foehrkolb, Jamie Matlock and Julie
Dempsey having the best opportunities for the Mustangs in that
time.
The momentum began to shift from the spark provided by freshman
Stephanie Fazenbaker in
the 24th minute. She had two great opportunities in the Stevenson
box just a day after recording a hat trick against Penn St.
Altoona. First, a Mustang defender rescued Fazenbaker's header from
the goal line, and that clearing attempt came right back to the
freshman. Her shot hit the crossbar, fell straight down within
inches of the line before finally being swept away. Two
tantalizingly close chances could not lift the Bobcats ahead.
That changed for Frostburg (17-2-2) in the 32nd minute. With no
defenders challenging her, junior defender Liz Seligman
carried the ball from deep in Bobcat territory unopposed until she
ripped a shot from about 30 yards out that beat Mustang keeper
Brittany Ross to the top left corner.
“One special moment was the difference in a very competitive
game and we were fortunate it happened in our favor today,”
Frostburg State head coach Brian Parker
said. “Stevenson is a quality, hard-working, well-coached
team, and we wish our rivalry could continue but wish them all the
best in their new conference."
The second half opened up even more. Matlock had another great
chance in the 50th minute. She took a pass from forward Stephanie
Eyler and banged the shot off the crossbar above senior goalkeeper
Michelle Buckmaster.
Matlock and Eyler led all players with six shots apiece.
Soon after that, Buckmaster denied Meaghan Williams with a sliding
save. The senior finished the final game of her career with eight
saves and the shutout victory.
Sophomore forward Adria Graham
had a few quality chances including a breakaway in the 52nd minute
without beating Ross. Graham was named the tournament's Most
Outstanding Player with her four goals in the ECAC Regional. She
led Frostburg on Sunday with four shots and three on goal.
Stevenson outshot Frostburg, 21-14, for the match. That included an
11-5 mark in the second half as the Mustangs raced to find the
tying goal. It never materialized, and Frostburg State is able to
celebrate an ECAC title after losing last season in the same game
in penalty kicks.
“This team has impressed me from day one in preseason and I'm
thrilled that our seniors could end their careers with such a great
game here in our own stadium,” Parker said. “I can't
express well enough in words how honored I am to be the women's
soccer coach at Frostburg State.”
South Release | Bracket | Preview
Schedule:
Quarterfinal
Round – Wednesday, November 9
No. 1 Frostburg St. def. No. 8 Grove City , 4-1 box score | recap
No. 2 Stevenson def. No. 7 Neumann, 7-0 box score | recap
No. 6 Albright def. No. 3 Swarthmore, 1-0 box score | recap
No. 4 Penn St. Altoona def. No. 5 PSU-Abington, 2-0 box score | recap
Semifinals – Saturday, November 12 (at Frostburg State)
No. 1 Frostburg St. def. No. 4 Penn St. Altoona,
5-1 boxscore | recap
No. 2 Stevenson def. No. 6 Albright, 1-0 boxscore
Championship -
Sunday, November 13 (at Frostburg State)
No. 1 Frostburg St. def. No. 2 Stevenson, 1-0 boxscore l recap
