Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich women's soccer team rallied with a great second half effort in the GNAC Semifinal contest on Wednesday, scoring both goals late in the second half to defeat the Emmanuel Saints 2-0 on Howard Field.
Although the Saints outshot Norwich 18-5 in the first half, Cadets' senior goalkeeper Nicki Hunsicker held her line with four key saves, denying all their shots on net. The Cadets earned three shots on goal, but were also denied by Saints' sophomore goalkeeper, Jessica D'Ottavio. The Saints had a chance with five minutes remaining to take a lead just before halftime, as freshman Darcey Sullivan wound up for a shot that forced Hunsicker to dive towards the right post just far enough to get her fingertips on it.
Norwich took the field for the second half with much more motivation and determination in their moves, as they began to outwork Emmanuel. In a change of events, the Cadets outshot the Saints 16-7, forcing D'Ottavio to make big plays on eight of their shots.
Norwich was able to find the back of the net on two of their attempts late in the second half. In the 79th minute of action, sophomore Brittany Casey played a ball to classmate Lisa Esparza in the far left corner of the field. Esparza placed a ball in the air out to the six-yard box, finding freshman Jackie Derocher in perfect position to capitalize on the play.
Casey found an opportunity three minutes later to put the Saints at a two-goal deficit, but D'Ottavio came off her line with a huge save. Fortunately for the Cadets, sophomore Bianca Bogda followed up the shot and took advantage of the rebound by placing it out of the goalkeeper's reach.
Saints' D'Ottavio played just shy of 83 minutes in net, recording 11 saves and was replaced by freshman Beatrix Hassler, who held the line for the remaining seven minutes of regulation time. Hunsicker played the full game in goal, earning her sixth shutout of the season with five key saves to help bring her team to the championship round.
The #4 Cadets (13-7) have posted back-to-back shutouts in the postseason and will now head to the home field of #2 Lasell College on Saturday for the GNAC Championship title.
