Durham, N.H. ? The University of New Hampshire women’s soccer team defeated the University of Hartford 4-0 Tuesday afternoon at Lewis Field to advance to the Semifinals of the 2004 America East Championship. The Wildcats move on to face Maine in the Semifinals at West Gym Field (Vestal, N.Y.) on Friday at 1:30 p.m.
New Hampshire’s Marianne Rivard put the Wildcats on top 1-0 late in the first half (33:53), finishing off passes from teammates Hillary Mefferd and America East’s leading scorer Chiara Best.
The Wildcats made it 2-0 at 38:31, as Shannon Oltman picked up the first of her two goals on the afternoon, beating Hartford Goalie Liz Cook. Mefferd was once again got in on the scoring action, assisting on the goal.
Oltman would strike again for the Wildcats just eight minutes into the second half (53:02), this time blasting one home on a pass from back Lia Barros. Best finished the scoring for the Wildcats, adding her league leading 14th goal on the season at 79:10. The goal was assisted by Rivard.
New Hampshire’s Sophomore Goalie Lynn Gugliuzza picked up the shutout for the Wildcats, recording eight saves in the process. The shutout was the first in postseason history for the Wildcats.
UNH advances to the conference semis for the second straight season on Friday when they face Maine. New Hampshire improves to 11-7-2 on the season. Hartford’s season comes to an end with a final mark of 5-12-2.
The America East champion earns the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championships.
For the latest America East Championship coverage be sure to log on to AmericaEast.com.
Scoring
UNH-Marianne Rivard (Chiara Best, Hiliary Mefferd), 33:53
UNH-Shannon Oltman (Mefferd), 38:31
UNH-Shannon Oltman (Lia Barros), 53:02
UNH-Chiara Best (Rivard), 79:10
Shots
Hartford: 13
New Hampshire: 18
Saves
Hartford: Liz Cook (90:00, 3 saves)
New Hampshire: Lynn Gugliuzza (90:00, 8 saves)