CUA Women’s Soccer Falls Short in Championship, 2-0
Photo Credit: Cardinals' Athletic Site
Erin Saia steals the ball away from a Scranton defender during the championship match
Alexis Carlucci, Tower Staff
November 10, 2011
Filed under Sports
The Catholic University of America women’s soccer team lost to the University of Scranton Royals in the Landmark Conference Championship game with a score of 2-0, finishing their season at 12-7 and 5-1 in the Landmark Conference.
Scranton scored one goal in each half. The goal scorers for Scranton were Sarah Gibbons and Rebecca Hextall, both leading scorers on Scranton’s offense, with 18 and 15 total points, respectively.
The Cardinals did not lead in any statistics categories throughout the match. In shots by period, Catholic totaled five and Scranton totaled nine. Scranton had two corner kicks versus Catholic’s one. Catholic only had one save per period whereas Scranton had two. Goalkeeper Christina Cassidy had Catholic’s only save of the game.
Scranton scored their first goal just over three minutes into the game. They scored their second goal in the second half at the 41 minute mark.
Caitlin Brett took the Cardinals’ first shot of the game a minute and a half in, but it went wide. Noelle Arcomano attempted Catholic’s second goal of the period at the 36:48 minute mark. It also went wide.
Two and a half minutes into the second half, Regina Zolbrod attempted CUA’s third shot of the game, but it was blocked. Brett attempted the next shot, but it was blocked by Scranton goalie Kelsey McAnelly. Erin Saia had Catholic’s last shot of the game, which was also saved by McAnelly.
Despite the loss, four members of the Catholic University women’s soccer team were named to All-Conference teams, with Brett named to the First Team All-Conference for the second year in a row. She was the Cardinals’ third leading scorer with five goals and 13 total offensive points, and she was named CUA’s Rookie of the Year. The senior finishes her soccer career here at CUA with 15 goals and 39 total offensive points. She appeared in 72 games with 59 total starts.
Senior Saia was also named to the First Team All-Conference, her first nomination. She led a Cardinals’ defense that held teams to an average of 1.21 goals per game and had nine shutouts throughout the season. Throughout her career, she appeared in 74 total games and had four assists.
Senior goalkeeper Cassidy was also named to the First Team All-Conference, also her first nomination. She finished the season at second in the Landmark Conference with goals against average, which was 0.99, and save percentage, which was 0.761. She also had six shutouts this season. She ends her soccer career with 96 saves and 18 wins.
Junior forward Courtney Orgill was named to the Second Team All-Conference. She led the Cardinals’ offense with 21 total points and 10 goals for the season. Her 10 goals tied her for first in the conference. Her 21 points this season placed her at third in the conference. She was named to the Second Team All-Conference in 2009 as well. So far in her career she has 28 goals and 57 total offensive points.
Although the Cardinals lost the Championship match, their five wins in the Landmark Conference this season were a program record. They also made it to their third Championship game in a span of four years.
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