Monmouth and Fairfield Set to Play in 2019 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship Game
Monmouth and Fairfield Set to Play in 2019 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship Game

Monmouth and Fairfield Set to Play in 2019 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship Game

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No. 1 Monmouth University – 3 | No. 6 Niagara University – 0
2019 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship – Semifinals
Hesse Field on The Great Lawn | West Long Branch, NJ
No. 1 Monmouth University (12-2-2, 10-0 MAAC) defeated No. 6 Niagara University (9-7-2, 4-5-1) by a score of 3-0 in a rematch of last year’s MAAC Women’s Soccer Semifinal matchup. With the win, Monmouth extended its winning streak against MAAC opponents to 22 games, dating back to Sept. 16 of 2018. The Hawks move on to the team’s fourth consecutive MAAC Championship Game appearance, where they have been victorious the previous three years. Monmouth will face No. 2 Fairfield this Sunday with a 4:00 p.m. game time scheduled. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.

Monmouth Notes
  • The 2019 MAAC Women’s Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year Amanda Knaub started in net for the Hawks. Knaub allowed only four goals throughout the season, including non-conference play.
  • Sophomore defender Jesi Rossman collected the first goal of the game in the 42nd minute to put the Hawks up 1-0 at the end of the first half. The goal was assisted by Madie Gibson and Maddison Perna.
  • Sarina Jones picked up her second goal of the year shortly after the start of the second half. Jones was awarded a penalty shot after Niagara was called for a hand ball in the box.
  • The final goal of the game came in the 79th minute, with a header from Lauren Karabin off a corner from Jess Johnson.
  • Monmouth finished the game with 27 shots, 15 of which were on goal.  
  • By not allowing a goal, Amanda Knaub recorded her 13th shutout of the season.
Niagara Notes
  • Sabrina Locas was once again given the nod for the Purple Eagles in net. Locas made two saves earlier in the week in a 2-1 Niagara win over Rider University in the first round.
  • Niagara’s Hadley Bucken made a save with her body in the 19th minute after Locas was down and out on the play. Bucken’s effort kept the game scoreless early for the Purple Eagles.
  • Niagara held Monmouth to one goal in the first half after allowing 12 shots.
  • Locas finished with 10 saves in the effort, keeping the Purple Eagles in the game.

No. 2 Fairfield University – 1 | No. 5 Quinnipiac University– 0
2019 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship – Semifinals
Lessing Field | Fairfield, CT
No. 2 Fairfield University (10-5-3, 7-2-1) topped No. 5 Quinnipiac University (10-7-1, 5-4-1) by a score of 1-0, advancing the Stags to the 2019 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship Game. A late goal was the difference maker for the Stags, who advance to their first championship game since 2014. Fairfield will look to secure the school’s first Women’s Soccer Championship since 2008 when they face the top seeded Monmouth Hawks on Sunday in West Long Branch.
 
Fairfield Notes
  • Sophomore keeper Aytana Muschajew started between the pipes for the Stags. Muschajew entered with a .645 save percentage on the season, recording 20 saves in 10 games played.
  • Gabby Diodati collected her fifth goal of the season off a spin move in front of the Quinnipiac net with 12 minutes remaining. Diodati’s goal proved to be the lone of the game, sending the Stags to the 2019 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship Game. Julia McGuire was credited with the assist.
  • Muschajew made a highlight-reel diving stop with under four minutes remining off a Quinnipiac header to preserve the lead for the Stags.
  • The Stags outshot the Bobcats 12-7, putting five shots on net.
  • Muschajew recorded four saves en route to her second shutout of the season.
Quinnipiac Notes
  • Co-Rookie of the Year Meaghan Phillips started in net for Quinnipiac. Phillips made two saves in Sunday’s win over No. 4 Marist College.
  • Kylie Lance nearly opened the scoring for the Bobcats, hitting the crossbar in the 53rd minute.
  • Gretchen Kron nearly tied the game at one goal apiece with 10 minutes on the clock on a contested breakaway, but was met by Fairfield’s Muschajew near the front of the box.
  • Phillips kept the Bobcats’ hopes alive with a one-on-one save with five minutes remaining, deflecting a shot with her leg off the foot of Fairfield’s Julia McGuire.
  • The Bobcats finished with seven shots, four of which were on goal.
  • Phillips finished with four saves.
Tickets for Sunday’s Championship Game can be purchased by visiting MAAC.Ticketleap.com or by visiting MAACSports.com/WSOC.
 
Keep up with all MAAC soccer action by following @MAACSports on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and by searching #MAACSoccer. For championship information, visit MAACSports.com/WSOC.
 
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 39th year of competition during the 2019-20 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.