WestConn's Cinderella season ends at Disney's Wide World of Sports
The WCSU Women's soccer team boards the bus on their way to Orlando.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Wheaton College Thunder advanced to the finals of the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship with a 3-0 win over Western Connecticut State University in the semifinals at Disney’s Wide World of Sports.
Wheaton, the nation’s top ranked team and defending national champion, improved its season record to 26-0-0 while the Colonials concluded their season with a school-record 21 wins and respectful 21-3-1 mark.
Wheaton struck first in the 34th minute when Libby Passiales capitalized on a loose ball in the box following a shot by Sarah Richardson. The goal was Passailes’ 11th of the season, and gave the Thunder a 1-0 lead heading into the half. Richardson recorded her 21st assist of the season on Pasialles’ first half marker.
Wheaton dictated play throughout the first half, out-shooting the Colonials 12-0.
“We knew that if we gave up a goal in the opening minutes, to such an experienced team, it would be deadly to us,” said 11-year head coach Joe Mingachos. “Jenna (Cappellieri) did a great job and made the stop on the initial shot on Wheaton’s first goal, but it had someone right there to put away the deflection."
story continues below...
WestConn Women's Soccer Celebration
Rally for WestConn Women's Soccer team
Dec. 5, 2007
Warner Hall, Midtown campus
Launch photo gallery
Game Photo Galleries
Additional Web Resources
Women's Soccer in the news
- WestConn honors women's soccer team after Final Four appearance
- Staropoli helps Western Connecticut State reach national semifinals in soccer
- Rally to honor WestConn women's soccer team today
- WestConn to honor women's soccer team
- Two Colonials named to NCAA All-Tournament team
- Wheaton blanks WestConn in NCAA semifinals
- WestConn seniors in a class of their own
- Colonials look for more magic in Orlando
- NCAA Sports.com feature: Western Connecticut State
- College Notebook
- Colonials set for magical trip: WestConn women's soccer team headed to Orlando for Final Four showdown
- Colonials reach Final Four: WestConn makes history with win over Hamilton
- 5-foot-3 Desjarlais comes up big in clutch
- WestConn survives scare
- WestConn women's soccer looks to make history
- WestConn women break new ground in NCAA tourney: Colonials set for third-round clash with Worcester State on Saturday - November 13
- 'An historic win' for Colonials: WestConn beats Endicott to reach Division III women's soccer Sweet 16 - November 12
- WestConn shuts down Rowan: Crayco, Sperlaza propel Colonials into second round - November 11
- Little East honors Colonials' standouts - November 11
- SI.com Faces in the crowd - November 8
story continued ....
Cappellieri made six saves in 86 minutes and withstood 19 shots from the Thunder.
“There were games this season that our defense made it easy for me and I didn’t get to touch the ball,” said Cappellieri. “Today I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep.”
“Jenna kept us in the game in the first half and her performance gave us momentum into the second half,” said senior defender Lindy Winchell. “Although we were down, 1-0, we felt we could play with Wheaton.”
The Colonials, which did not get off a shot in the first 45 minutes, were able to penetrate Wheaton’s defense after intermission and had four good chances in the final stanza.
The Thunder were not satisfied with a 1-0 lead and kept pressure on WestConn’s defense before Taryne Lee extended their advantage to 2-0 in the 83rd minute. After a long run down the left side of the field, Lee deposited her team-leading 27th goal of the season.
Jami Hermann scored her fifth goal of the season in the 86th minute to give Wheaton the final margin of victory at 3-0.
“We are very happy to have come this far, but we are not satisfied,” said Minigachos. “We came here to win a National Championship. Our senior class took us to new heights, heights that will be hard to match.”
Wheaton keeper Kristin Eggert recorded her ninth shutout of the season to lead the Thunder. She made one save on the day.
Cappellieri finished with six saves before yielding to Shannon Cawley for the final four minutes. Cawley made one stop for the Colonials.
“We are pleased to make it through to the final,” said Wheaton’s head coach Pete Felske. “I did not think we looked sharp, and we all expected a better performance. I give Western Connecticut a lot of credit, it never stopped pressuring us.”
The Thunder, which extended their win streak to 44 games, won its third title in four years by defeating Messiah, 1-0, in the final game. They captured their first championship in 2004 and have outscored their opponents 98-6 in NCAA Tournament action over the past four seasons.
For more information call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486 or the Sports Information Office at (203) 837-9014.
