CORTLAND, NY. – For the second straight season the Wesleyan women's soccer team will be competing in the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals make it for just the second time in the teams' history, claiming an at-large bid after being defeated in the NESCAC Championship. Wesleyan (8-5-5) will travel to Cortland, New York for the first round of the NCAA Tournament where they will take on the host team, the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons (13-1-4) at approximately 1:30 pm on Saturday November 12th. The other first round game being played in Cortland will be the Messiah University Falcons (17-1-2) taking on the Penn State Berks (13-5-2) at 11:00 am.
The Cardinals will play in their 2
nd true road NCAA Tournament game ever, facing off against the host Red Dragons in Cortland, New York. Wesleyan faired well in their first true road NCAA Tournament game last year, defeating the MIT Engineers in their home stadium 2-1 to advance to the Final Four.
Grace Devanny '23 delivered the game-winner seconds into the overtime period to give the Cardinals their first-ever Final Four appearance. This won't be an easy task however, with SUNY Cortland holding a an undefeated 9-0-3 record at T. Fred Holloway Field.
The Cardinals made the tournament by virtue of an at-large bid given to them by the NCAA Tournament Committee. Wesleyan began the season ranked 4
th in the country after a Final Four berth in 2021, but after a rough beginning to the season (2-3-1) they were quickly bounced from the national rankings. They recovered with a strong finish to the regular season (3-0-2) that placed them squarely on the bubble going into NESCAC Tournament play. They managed to reach the NESCAC championship game as a six seed, defeated Bowdoin in PK's before handling Trinity 3-0. They would go on to lose the championship game to first-seeded Amherst 2-0, but they had done enough to convince the committee and reach their second straight NCAA Tournament.
Wesleyan brings three All-NESCAC performers with them to the NCAA Tournament. Senior defender
Cheyanne Ollie '23 was a huge reason for their late-season push, holding down the back line while leading the team in total minutes (1,624) on her way to First Team All-NESCAC honors. The Cardinals also bring two Second Team All-NESCAC performers in Sarah Hamond '22 and
Grace Devanny '23, both of which were integral parts of the 2021 NCAA Tournament run. Devanny once again led the team in goals and assists while Hammond held opponents to a 0.64 goals against average which was good for 2
nd in the conference.
The supporting cast is very similar to 2021 with eight of the 11 starters from their Final Four contest against TCNJ returning.
Dani Milovanov '23 is enjoying a career year scoring six goals and adding three assists, both of which are 2
nd on the team to Devanny.
Audrey Lavey '23 (six goals) and
Kate Hausladen '23 (two goals, two assists) are back for the 2022 tournament run.
Caty Clements '25,
Isabelle Martin '23, and
Chloe Odabashian '23 all return as well to sure up the midfield and defense.
The Wesleyan defense has been the key to the Cardinals' success over the final stretch of the season. Wesleyan held opponents to just one goal over a 7-game period to end the season leading to a 4-0-3 record and an eventual at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Hammond has been an important piece to that, making 29 saves with the only goal being on a penalty kick.
SCOUTING SUNY CORTLAND (13-1-4)
SUNY Cortland (13-1-4) makes the NCAA Tournament by virtue of an at-large bid given to them by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. The Red Dragons finished with only one loss on the season, but fell in the SUNYAC Finals in penalty kicks to Geneseo. They were a sure at-large team, finishing with a winning percentage of .833 which was good enough for them to host their region's first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. The 20
th ranked Red Dragons (as of November 1
st) are led by goal-scorer Jaden Galluzzo. Galluzzo currently ranks top 40 in the country in goals with 15 in 18 games, while also contributing five assists. Their defense has also been impressive throughout 2022, holding a goals against average of 0.434 which is 15
th best among division three. A trio of upperclassman defenders have been in integral part of that with Cam Stone, Katrina Klammer, and Bella Casucci starting all 18 games for the Red Dragons. When shots do reach goal, Kristen Spendal has been there to turn them away. The sophomore goalkeeper has made 57 saves with a save percentage of nearly 88% which ranks 25
th in the country.
SCOUTING PENN STATE BERKS (13-5-2)
The Penn State Berks (13-5-2) make the NCAA Tournament by virtue of an automatic bid thanks to winning their conference tournament. The Berks were able to defeat conference foes St. Mary's College of Maryland and Penn State Harrisburg in back-to-back contests to take home their 8
th United East tournament title. The Berks return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, where they lost in the round of 64 to No. 12 Johns Hopkins 2-0. The Berks have three double-digit goal scorers on the roster, led by senior forward Emily Clapper who finished the United East Conference Tournament with 17 goals which is good for 26
th in the country. Her teammates Sara Hathaway and Diana Pon have scored 14 and 12 respectfully, making them one of the highest scoring trios among division three. As a team the Penn State Berks rank 22
nd in the country in total goals scored with 64. First-Year goalie Sophia Gonzalez has held in down in goal, making 78 saves in 19 games including eight shutout performances. The Berks will bring four all-conference first team players with them in Clapper, Pon, Hathaway, and defender Mary King.
SCOUTING MESSIAH (17-1-2)
The Messiah University Falcons (17-1-2) reach the NCAA Tournament by virtue of winning the MAC (Middle Atlantic Commonwealth) Conference Title for the 19
th time in their history. They shut out both Widener University and York College on way to the title, scoring six goals in the process. They have now made the NCAA Tournament for the 21
st straight season. They are looking for their second national title in three years after claiming the 2019 NCAA Tournament Championship. They will start their journey for the title against Penn State Berks, a team they are 3-0 against in their history. On offense it's a balanced attack, with nine players scoring at least three goals led by Rachael Tirjan with 11. As a unit they rank 18
th in all of division three in scoring with 66 goals in 20 games. On the defensive side of the ball they are just as impressive, holding their opponents to .350 goals per game, ranking 7
th in the country. That unit is led by conference defensive player of the year in Kristina Akselsen and fellow All-MAC Commonwealth Conference First Team defenders in Julia Martin and Jenna Skurcenski. In total the Falcons took home 12 all-conference selections, including Rookie of the Year, and Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year.
The regionals first and second rounds will start on Saturday November 12
th and 13
th with the winner moving on to the Sweet Sixteen on a date and location to be determined.
