America East Rookie of the Year Sara Hourihan broke a scoreless tie with just 1:17 remaining in double overtime to give No. 5 New Hampshire a 1-0 victory over No. 4 Vermont in first round action of the 2005 America East Women’s Soccer Championship at Nickerson Field in Boston, Mass.

The Wildcats improve to 9-7-2 on the season and advance to the conference semifinals where they will take on No. 1 seed and host Boston University on Sunday at 12 noon. Vermont’s season comes to an end with an 8-9-1 final mark.

After nearly 109 minutes of scoreless action, Hourihan took a midfield pass from teammate Julie Wernig and beat Vermont goalkeeper Laura Kissock for the game’s only goal.

New Hampshire outshot Vermont 17-11 as the Wildcats also tallied four corner kicks to the Catamounts two. Kissock and UNH goalie Julie Randall both played the entire contest as they each stopped eight shots in net.

No. 6 UMBC and No. 3 Binghamton square off in the other first round contest of the day, with the winner of that game moving on to face No. 2 Maine on Sunday, following the UNH-Boston U. contest. The Terriers defeated UNH 1-0 in the regular season meeting between the two earlier this year on October 16.

The winner of the America East Championship earns the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The women’s soccer selection announcement is scheduled to be held on Monday, November 7 live on ESPNews (time TBA).

SCORING
New Hampshire - Sara Hourihan (Julie Wernig), 108:43

SHOTS
New Hampshire: 17
Vermont:11

CORNER KICKS
New Hampshire: 4
Vermont: 2

SAVES
New Hampshire: Julie Randall (108:43, 8 saves)
Vermont: Laura Kissock (108:43, 8 saves)