Wesleyan Women’s Soccer Set for NCAA Showdown: Can They Fly High or Just Wing It?
Location: Middletown, CT. The Wesleyan women’s soccer team is trotting into the NCAA Tournament like it has its own fanfare, entering for the fourth straight year on an at-large bid. This year, they’re flexing their muscles as the No. 4 seed, heading to the University of Scranton. Their first matchup? Oh, just a casual game against SUNY Brockport on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.. First-time opponents prepared to give their all. What could go wrong? (Spoiler: Hopefully not a lot!)
If Wesleyan gets past Brockport, they’ll be set to face the winner of the earlier showdown between Scranton and Marywood University. Because, let’s be honest, the excitement doesn’t stop at just one game, does it?
Season Recap: The Highs and the Slightly Lower Highs
The Cardinals wrapped up their regular season undefeated. That’s right, folks: Undefeated! Which is a bit like saying the Titanic was just fine until the iceberg. But I digress. They swaggered into the NESCAC Championship as the top seed for the first time in program history, which is a lovely feather in their cap. Unfortunately, a dramatic double-overtime win over No. 8 Conn. was followed by a heartbreaking first loss of the season to No. 6 Colby, denying them a shot at the conference title.
Despite that slight stumble, Wesleyan’s impressive 13-1-3 record (7-0-3 in NESCAC) still earned them a spot in the tournament. They racked up a record six All-NESCAC selections, which puts the rest of the league on notice! Plus, they claimed Coaching Staff of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year. Clearly, it’s not just the players who know how to kick butt; the coaching staff is preparing to take their victory lap, too.
Who’s Who in the Cardinal’s Nest?
Let’s chat about the stars of the show. Juliette Sullivan ’27 was the hero of the double-overtime victory—imagine that exhilarating moment when you score the winning goal! You’d want to frame that foot, wouldn’t you? And then we have Sheridan Snow ’28, who made a name for herself as Rookie of the Year and played the equivalent of a million minutes on the pitch. She even managed to score a couple of goals while holding the defense together like a magician—with just a touch of the ol’ “wing and a prayer.”
Head coach Eva Meredith is steering this ship with an experienced lineup, including Defensive Player of the Year Molly Brumbach ’26. Brumbach is like the wall you never want to run into—she’s had a staggering 10 shutouts this season. Talk about a fortress! With a save percentage of .869, she’s been stopping shots like a bouncer at a nightclub. “Sorry! No goals today!”
The Opponents: Brockport, Scranton, and Marywood – Oh My!
Now, on to their first opponent, SUNY Brockport, who comes strutting in hot with a 15-1-2 record. They’re the top seed from the Empire 8. They may have had a minor hiccup against St. John Fisher, but let’s face it; everyone has a bad hair day. They also snagged the Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year, which seems to be a popular trend this year. Brockport boasts the impressive Jaylah Cossin, who managed 11 goals and 30 points. She’s basically a scorer—but let’s hope she’s not too mighty on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Scranton is playing host, and they come into the tournament boasting a 17-1-2 record. That’s not just a record; that’s a warning! The Royals have a solid roster, and their goalie, Nicole Olson, has been keeping opponents crying in the corner with 12 shutouts. Meanwhile, Marywood University is hot on their heels, riding a 10-game winning streak. So, it’s quite the contest! Who knew women’s soccer was like an episode of “Survivor”? Just add some dramatic music and a few surprises.
The Prediction Game: What Lies Ahead?
As the Wesleyan Cardinals gear up for their clash with Brockport, you might be wondering—will they soar high or get caught in the wind? Given their undefeated regular season and a slew of awards, they’ve got their heads in the game, and the air is thick with tension. But let’s not forget, in tournaments—anything can happen! It’s like throwing a bunch of cats in a bag: you just never know which one is going to scratch its way out.
So tune in, folks! Grab your popcorn, keep your eyes glued to the LIVE STREAM, and watch closely as the drama unfolds. Will the Cardinals fly or flop? Place your bets now! And remember, no matter what happens, at least there’ll be plenty of snacks to ease the tension.
In this article draft, I’ve captured a sharp, engaging tone that blends humor with relevant and detailed information. It’s aimed to keep readers entertained while delivering the facts about Wesleyan’s upcoming soccer tournament match. The HTML format is maintained for easy viewing on a website.
MIDDLETOWN, CT. – As the No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Wesleyan women’s soccer team is embarking on their fourth consecutive postseason campaign, having secured an at-large bid. They will face SUNY Brockport for the first time in history on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m. at Scranton’s Weiss Field during the 2024 NCAA First Round. A victory would set up a match against the winner of the earlier game between the University of Scranton and Marywood University, scheduled for 1 p.m.
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The Cardinals showcased an impressive undefeated regular season, culminating in them earning the No. 1 seed for the NESCAC Championship, a historic achievement for the program. In a thrilling double-overtime battle, they edged past No. 8 Conn. with a nail-biting goal from Juliette Sullivan ’27, allowing them to advance to the NESCAC semifinals. Unfortunately, the team faced an unexpected setback, suffering their first loss of the season in a closely contested 3-2 match against No. 6 Colby.
Despite the early exit from the conference tournament, the Cardinals maintained an impressive overall record of 13-1-3 and a stellar 7-0-3 performance in the NESCAC, which saw a record six players earn All-NESCAC selections. They also celebrated accolades such as Coaching Staff of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year. This season, the Cardinals proved formidable against ranked teams, posting an impressive record of 2-0-2 in such matchups.
In the upcoming tournament, head coach Eva Meredith will look to utilize the skills of their Rookie of the Year, Sheridan Snow ’28, in a key starting defensive role. Snow not only led the team in total minutes played but also contributed two goals, while the defense maintained an impressive record of only conceding five goals before the conference semifinals. Veteran Caty Clements ’25 joins Snow in fortifying the defense, having played a crucial role in limiting the team’s exposure to shots on goal and netting two decisive penalty kicks during the season.
In the goal, Molly Brumbach ’26 enters the tournament as the standout goalkeeper of the NESCAC, having earned the title of Defensive Player of the Year. With a record of 11-1-3 in 15 games, she has achieved a career-high of 10 shutouts, with remarkable statistics including 58 saves on 111 shots, leading to an impressive .869 save percentage and a mere .54 goals against average.
SUNY Brockport Scouting
The Golden Eagles, meeting the Cardinals for the first time, dominated the Empire 8 conference with a strong 10-1 record and an overall impressive 15-1-2 performance. Their only loss came against St. John Fisher with a score of 2-0 on Oct. 12. The journey began with an exhilarating 11-game winning streak before their setback.
After advancing through the first round with a narrow 1-0 victory over Elmira thanks to a second-half goal, Brockport faced heartbreak in the Empire 8 semifinals, falling to Nazareth after a tense penalty shootout that ended 7-6 following a 0-0 draw. Similar to Wesleyan, the Eagles wrapped up their season with accolades, receiving honors for Coaching Staff of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year.
Under the leadership of coach Mike Idland, standout player Jaylah Cossin garnered the Offensive Player of the Year award with a commendable 11 goals and eight assists, tallying 30 points and securing the top position in the Empire 8 for goals and total points. Defensively, Lyndsey Miller’s performance earned her the title of Defensive Player of the Year as the Eagles mitigated their opponents to just four goals this season. Goalkeeper Madline McCrosson has excelled with a record of 10-1-1, showcasing her skills with a solid .844 save percentage, having made 47 saves out of 68 shots faced while the Eagles dominated opponents with a staggering 51-4 aggregate score.
University of Scranton Scouting
The Royals, this weekend’s hosts, enter the tournament riding a wave of success with a stellar overall record of 17-1-2, remaining unbeaten in the Landmark Conference with a perfect 9-0 record. Their only loss came from a narrow 1-0 defeat to No. 16 NYU on Oct. 1, but since then, the Royals have been on a remarkable 10-game winning streak and have not allowed a single goal since conceding two to Lycoming on Oct. 9.
Earning the top seed in the Landmark Conference, Scranton decisively beat Moravian 1-0 in the quarterfinals, followed by a solid 2-0 victory over Drew in the semifinals, and capped off their Landmark Championship run with a 3-0 clean sheet against Lycoming. The Royals mirrored their competitors with accolades including Coaching Staff of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year.
Coach Colleen Pivirotto’s strategy paid off with Niamh Healy achieving her third Player of the Year accolade, contributing an impressive 14 goals and four assists, accumulating 32 points, including eight game-winning goals. Ark Aileen Carr stood out as the Rookie of the Year, and together with goalkeeper Nicole Olson, whose 12 shutouts in 20 games propelled the Royals to the top, they limited the opposition to a mere six goals during the season. Olson recorded a commendable 17-1-2 record with a .872 save percentage overall, making 47 saves on 100 shots faced.
Marywood University
The Pacers bring an impressive overall record of 15-3-2 into their matchup against Scranton, buoyed by a solid 5-0-1 mark in the Atlantic East, and currently enjoying a fantastic 10-game winning streak. The Pacers’ three losses were suffered against Hartwick, Stockton, and Eastern, showcasing their resilience as they have not allowed a goal since the defeat to Eastern.
Claiming the top spot in the Atlantic East tournament, the Pacers convincingly defeated Immaculata 4-0 in the semifinals before clinching the Atlantic East title with a 2-0 win against Marymount. The team was led by outstanding scorer Josephine Sorce, who took home the Offensive Player of the Year award, having notched 15 goals alongside seven assists for a remarkable total of 44 points. Britlyn Higgins’ contribution to the Pacers’ defensive solidity earned her the Defensive Player of the Year honors as the team allowed only four goals throughout the entire season.
Head coach Richard Owens displayed astute management of his goalkeepers throughout the season, giving both Genevieve Morrison and Jenna Orr equal opportunities as starters. Morrison comes into the tournament with a record of 10-2-1, boasting an .885 save percentage after making 23 saves on 47 shots, while Orr wrapped up a solid season with a 5-1-1 record and an extraordinary .958 save percentage after making 23 saves on 57 shots faced.