Women's Soccer Captures First Ever America East Title over Hartford, 2-1; Advances To the NCAA's For the First Time in Program History

Saturday, November 8

West Hartford, CT

3 pm

University of New Hampshire

8-8-4

University of Hartford

10-4-5

Team	1	2	Final F
New Hampshire	2	0	2
Hartford	0	1	1

11/8/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. –The University of New Hampshire women's soccer team defeated the University of Hartford 2-1 Saturday afternoon from Al Marzook Field to earn their first ever America East Title.

Freshman Brooke Murphy (Monson, Mass.) and senior Caroline Murray (New Canaan, Conn.) tallied the two goals for New Hampshire 12 minutes into the game to lift the squad to their first ever appearance in the NCAA's in program history.

No. 3 New Hampshire (8-8-4, 4-2-2 AE) will discover where the squad will play in the 2014 NCAA's on Monday, Nov. 10 (4:30 p.m.) during the NCAA Selection Show on NCAA.com.

The Hawks end their season with a mark of 10-4-5 overall and 5-1-2 in league play.

Sophomore goalkeeper Mimi Borkan (Medfield, Mass.) made seven saves in 90 minutes of action. Borkan was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after making 16 saves over three games including a pair of shootout wins in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. She made several highlight-reel stops in the title contest.

Hartford's netminder Jessica Jurg stopped three shots in 90 minutes of play, with two coming in the second half.

The Hawks held a 23-9 shot advantage in the match. Hartford earned eight corner kicks while the 'Cats had four.

Murray posted a team-high three shots with all on target and added one goal. Murphy chipped in a great performance with her only shot of the game coming as a goal. Senior co-captain Meghan Ledwith (Yardley, Pa.) tallied two shots and one assist. Ledwith was selected to the All-Championship Team.

Junior Gabrielle Sloan (Stow, Mass.),freshman Veronica Hardy (North Smithfield, R.I.) and freshman Jackie Feraco (Holden, Mass.) posted one shot apiece in the game.

The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead off the foot of Murphy who blasted an 18-yard shot past Jurg far post at 1:58 to give UNH a 1-0 lead. Ledwith paved the way for the assist, a through-ball. The goal marks Murphy's 11^th of the season as she has scored a goal in every postseason game.

At 11:41, Caroline Murray gave UNH a 2-0 edge. Murray took a cross from Murphy and beat a Hawks defender before shooting the ball into the back of the net. The goal marked Murray's second of her career and the season.

Borkan came through for a big way for the 'Cats in the first half making two incredible saves. The Hawks Chanel Johnson headed the ball at 18:52 but Borkan made a diving stop and punched the ball out of the net to keep it a 2-0 game. Johnson had another opportunity but Borkan stopped her again and pushed the ball wide of the goal at 25:17.

Hartford's Raelynn Mikell had a chance to get on the board at 40:54 but Borkan was in position to make the save.

At the half, New Hampshire claimed a 2-0 lead. UNH's Borkan made three saves while Hartford's Jurg stopped one shot. The Hawks held an 11-4 shot advantage.

In the second half, the Hawks offense stepped it up. In 45 minutes of play, Hartford put together 12 shots.

Borkan started the second half with another big save, diving to knock a free kick by Sidney Spremullo just wide of the net in the 50^th minute.

The Wildcats kept most of the play in the second half in the midfield as they maintained a 2-0 edge.

Johnson came inches away from getting on the board in the 88^th minute, taking a half-volley shot from 30-yards out that Borkan tipped over the crossbar.

Hartford broke through against the Wildcat defense at 1:05 left in regulation as Tori Tripp sent Johnson in on a breakaway in the 89^th minute to cut the deficit 2-1, but the Hawks ran out of time in their comeback.

With the horn going off, the University of New Hampshire women's soccer team earned their first ever America East Championship game. The Wildcats became the first-ever No. 3 seed to win an America East title.

All-Championship Team

Mimi Borkan, New Hampshire (Most Outstanding Player)
Caroline Murray, New Hampshire
Brooke Murphy, New Hampshire
Meghan Ledwith, New Hampshire
Emma Donnelly, Hartford
Chanel Johnson, Hartford
Sidney Spremullo, Hartford
Vivian Vega, Albany
Caitlyn Paltsios, Albany
Nikki Boretti, UMBC
Paige Preston, UMBC
Kendra Ridley, Maine
Valerie McNamara, Binghamton

For more information, check out UNHWildcats.com or follow the Wildcats via social media outlets: Facebook (www.facebook.com/UNHWildcats), Twitter (@UNHWildcats), YouTube (www.youtube.com/UNHAthletics), and Instagram (@UNHWildcats).