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Wheaton, Ill. - The Wheaton College (Ill.) women's soccer team defeated University of Puget Sound 2-0 on Saturday night in the Sectional Final of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. With the win, the Thunder has advanced to its third NCAA Division III Final Four in the past four seasons. Wheaton will play either Hamilton or Western Connecticut State in the National Semifinal on Nov. 23. Those two schools will play a Sectional Final in Williamstown, Mass. on Sunday.
Next Friday's National Semifinal will be played either at 11 AM (EST) or 1:30 PM at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The winner of the Semifinal will play in the Division III National Championship on November 24 at 2 PM (EST).
Thunder head coach Pete Felske said of his team's effort, “I was pleased with how we played tonight. We did a good job on defense and Kelly Foltz (PICTURED RIGHT) did a nice job on their best player.” Last year Wheaton won the 2006 Division III Championship, also held at Disney's Wide World of Sports. Felske noted of his team's return, “It is good to get back. I am pleased with how the players have responded all year, playing well with a target on their back. ”
The two teams went to the locker rooms at halftime in a 0-0 tie, despite Wheaton's 11-3 advantage in shots in the opening half. Less than four minutes into the second half, Wheaton took a 1-0 lead. Senior Kira Davis booted a free kick at the 48:51 mark of the match, from a long way out and got it into the back of the net to give the Thunder a 1-0 advantage. The two teams continued to battle through the second half. The Loggers' best opportunity came with 9:25 left in the second half when Katie Gillette had an excellent opportunity that went just right of the goal. Wheaton secured the victory when junior Erin Hodina scored off of a Libby Passiales shot at the 85:19 mark of the match.
Wheaton out-shot the Loggers 19-8, with a 3-1 edge in corner kicks. Thunder goalkeeper Kristin Eggert (PICTURED RIGHT) made two saves in 90 minutes of work. Puget Sound goalkeeper Kallie Wolfer made nine saves and allowed two goals. Wheaton is now 25-0 on the year, tying the school single-season record for victories, with the 2004 team that won the program's first National Championship. The Thunder has won its last 43 matches. Puget Sound ends the season with a record of 21-2-1.
