West Hartford, Conn. – The 2006 America East Women’s Soccer Championship begins on Friday, October 27 with two first-round games at the University of Hartford’s Al-Marzook Field.
First-round action gets underway at 3 p.m. with No. 4 Binghamton taking on No. 5 New Hampshire, followed by No. 3 Maine versus No. 6 Vermont at 6 p.m. The winner of the Maine-UVM contest will meet No. 2 Boston University on Sunday at 1 p.m., followed by the Binghamton-UNH winner facing host and No. 1 seed Hartford on Sunday at 4 p.m.
The championship game will take place on November 4 or 5 at the highest remaining seed. The winner of the America East Championship earns the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.
Hartford captured the regular-season title and a first-round bye on Sunday by defeating Boston University 1-0 on the final day of the conference play. It was the Hawks’ first regular-season title since 2002. That year Hartford went on to win the tournament championship and played in the NCAA’s.
Boston University, the 2005 America East champion, led the league for most of the regular season and also earned a first-round bye. The Terriers also earned its first-ever top-10 ranking during the regular season.
In the championship’s first game, No. 4 Binghamton will take on No. 5 New Hampshire. The Bearcats won four of its final six games to earn a spot in the tournament and have earned a berth in five of the six postseasons since joining America East including winning the title in 2004. The Wildcats continue to be a mainstay in the America East championship qualifying for the sixth-straight year.
The second opening round game will feature No. 3 Maine versus No. 6 Vermont. The Black Bears were near the top of the standings all season and earned their first-ever national ranking during the regular season. The Catamounts qualified for the postseason by capturing a 1-0 overtime win over Stony Brook in its final game of the regular season.
2006 America East Women's Soccer Championship
First Round at Hartford's Al-Marzook Field (West Hartford, Conn.)
Friday, October 27
Game 1: No. 5 New Hampshire vs. No. 4 Binghamton, 3 p.m.
Game 2: No. 6 Vermont vs. No. 3 Maine, 6 p.m.*
Semifinals at Hartford's Al-Marzook Field (West Hartford, Conn.)
Sunday, October 29
Game 3: Winner Game 2 vs. No. 2 Boston University, 1 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 1 at No. 1 Hartford, 4 p.m.*
Championship Game at higher remaining seed
November 4 or 5
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, TBD
* second game of the day will start 30 minutes after the conclusion of the previous game.