BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Taylor Littlefield (Sanford, Maine) had a goal and an assist and classmate Brielle Robinson (Monson, Mass.) made four saves at the fourth-seeded University of New England women's soccer team defeated top-seeded Wentworth Institute of Technology, 2-0, in an ECAC Division III New England Women's Soccer Semifinal played at Sweeney Field.
With the win the Nor'Easters improve to 13-7-0 and will make their second straight appearance in the title game tomorrow against either Elms or Emerson. The Leopards conclude their finest season in program history at 17-3-2.
Windy conditions yielded few opportunities for both teams in the first half as the two teams combined for just seven shots, with three of those going on net. Wentworth had a 4-3 advantage in shots, however UNE had a 2-1 advantage on shots on goal.
The second half saw Wentworth with a pair of chances early, however Robinson kept the hosts off the board. The Nor'Easters had two chances within a span of a minute, but both went wide of the goal.
At 69:42, UNE got the only goal it would need when Littlefield served a corner kick from the right flag to freshman Harley Chute (Salem, N.H.), whose shot beat freshman Micaela Robinson (Goshen, N.Y.) to the left side. Shortly after the visitors took a 1-0 lead, Wentworth nearly tied the game when junior Mary Annon (Concord, N.H.) served a corner kick from the right flag, however freshman Madyson Reno's (Simi Valley, Calif.) shot attempt missed to the left.
The Nor'Easters nearly increased their lead in the 80th minute when junior Brionne Turcotte (Goffstown, N.H.) broke in alone, however her bid was denied by Robinson. With 2:58 remaining UNE sealed the win when Littlefield scored. Sophomore Edie Pallozzi (Windham, Maine) sent a pass from the right side across the box to Littlefield along the left side. Littlefield's shot initially hit the right post and ricocheted in across the line.
Robinson finished with four saves. Shots were even at 10-all and UNE had a 6-4 edge in corner kicks.