WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – For the first time in school history, the University of New Hampshire is the America East Women’s Soccer champion. The third-seeded Wildcats scored a pair of first-half goals en route to a, 2-1, upset of No. 1 seed Hartford in the title game on Saturday evening in West Hartford, Conn.
The Wildcats became the first-ever No. 3 seed to win an America East title, scoring early and then holding off a late charge by the Hawks behind seven saves from goalkeeper Mimi Borkan. UNH will represent the America East in the NCAA tournament and will find out its draw on Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
Borkan was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after making 16 saves over three games including a pair of shootout wins in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. The sophomore made several highlight-reel stops in the title contest.
New Hampshire (8-8-4) jumped on the Hawks early, taking a, 1-0, lead just 1:58 into the game. Freshman Brooke Murphy received a through-ball from Meghan Ledwith on the left side, taking one-touch with her left foot and then placing a right-footed strike into the right-side netting. Both Murphy and Ledwith were selected to the All-Championship Team. Murphy finished the tournament with three of UNH’s four goals.
The Wildcats added an insurance goal just 10 minutes later, as All-Championship selection, Caroline Murray, received a cross that deflected off a defender and beat Hartford goalkeeper, Jessica Jurg, with a low shot into the left side to make it, 2-0.
Hartford was able to put pressure in the UNH defensive side for much of the remainder of the first half of play, but could not beat Borkan. The keeper made a diving save off a Chanel Johnson header in the 19th minute of play, and then was helped out by her defense in the 30th minute when Elise Galipo had her shot blocked off the goal line. The Wildcats took the 2-0 lead into the locker room.
Borkan started the second half with another big save, diving to knock a free kick by Sidney Spremullo just wide of the net in the 50th minute. Spremullo, Johnson and Emma Donnelly earned All-Championship selections for the Hawks.
The Wildcats kept most of the play in the second half in the midfield, maintaining a, 2-0, advantage for the majority of play.
Johnson came inches away from getting on the board in the 88th minute, taking a half-volley shot from 30-yards out that Borkan tipped over the crossbar.
Less than a minute later, Hartford broke through against the Wildcat defense. Tori Tripp sent Johnson in on a breakaway in the 89th minute to cut the deficit to, 2-1, but the Hawks ran out of time in their comeback bid.
The title for UNH makes the Wildcats the fourth different America East team in four years to capture the women’s soccer title. New Hampshire will discover where it will play in the 2014 NCAA Championship on Monday at 4:30 p.m. during the NCAA Selection Show on NCAA.com.
Hartford's Katie Connolly became the first women’s soccer Elite 18 award winner. The award is given to a student-athlete in each sport who exemplifies excellence both in their sport and in the classroom. Connolly is a sophomore with a perfect 4.00 GPA while majoring in arts and science.
2014 America East Women's Soccer Championship
Quarterfinals – Thursday, October 30
#3 New Hampshire 1, #6 Binghamton 1
(UNH wins, 4-2, in PKs)
#4 Albany 2, #5 Maine 0
Semifinals – Sunday, November 2
#1 Hartford 1, #4 Albany 0
#3 New Hampshire 1, #2 UMBC 1
(UNH wins, 6-5, on PKs)
Final - Saturday, November 8
#3 New Hampshire 2, #1 Hartford 1
All-Championship Team
Mimi Borkan, New Hampshire (Most Outstanding)
Caroline Murray, New Hampshire
Brooke Murphy, New Hampshire
Meghan Ledwith, New Hampshire
Emma Donnelly, Hartford
Chanel Johnson, Hartford
Sidney Spremullo, Hartford
Vivian Vega, Albany
Caitlyn Paltsios, Albany
Nikki Boretti, UMBC
Paige Preston, UMBC
Kendra Ridley, Maine
Valerie McNamara, Binghamton