Release courtesy of the USCAA
Virginia Beach, VA- SUNY ESF Women's Soccer captured their first ever USCAA National Title on Monday afternoon at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, after defeating Paul Smith's College 4-1. The Mighty Oaks finished the tournament with an impressive 17 goals in three games.
SUNY ESF entered the tournament as the number two seed after posting a 10-1-1 record in the regular season. They opened pool play with a dominant 10-0 win over Penn State Schuylkill, as four different players scored two goals each with those being from freshman forward, Jessica Bolton, senior midfielder, Kelley Cooper, freshman midfielder, Mackenzie Koniszewski, and senior midfielder, Grace Sinsebox. In a much closer game the following day, the Mighty Oaks defeated the third seeded Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences 3-1 and secured a berth in the Division II National Championship game.
The Mighty Oaks squared off against top seeded Paul Smith's College, who entered the tournament with a 9-0-1 regular season record. It was SUNY ESF that looked like the better team for 90 minutes, but only needed the first 45 minutes to score three goals and put themselves in the driver's seat with one half to play. Freshman midfielder, Mackenzie Koniszewski, opened the scoring in the 16th minute on an assist from senior defender, Madeline Eggenberger. Senior midfielder, Grace Sinsebox was the star of the afternoon as she put two perfectly placed balls above the goalkeeper's head and into the back of the net, with her second coming on a set piece in the 43rd minute. Junior goalkeeper, Helena O'Shea, finished off an outstanding tournament, only allowing two goals through three games and making 8 saves in those contests. Head coach, Mandy DaRin, capped off a successful season with the program's first ever USCAA National Championship.
All-Tournament Team
Katie Douglas | Midfielder | Johnson & Wales- Charlotte
Julia Roemer | Forward | Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Emily D'Abrosca | Forward | Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Samantha Severing | Forward | Paul Smith's College
Abigail Cancilla | Defense | Paul Smith's College
Grace Kronick | Midfielder | Paul Smith's College
Hayleigh Gates | Forward | Paul Smith's College
Kelley Cooper | Midfielder | SUNY ESF
Mackenzie Koniszewski | Midfield | SUNY ESF
Jessica Bolton | Forward | SUNY ESF
Abby Neill | Midfielder | SUNY ESF
Tournament MVP
Grace Sinsebox | Midfielder | SUNY ESF
