SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – November 7, 2007 - Behind a goal and a pair of assists from Nicole Hanewich (Smithfield, R.I.) the Springfield College women’s soccer team topped Husson College, 3-0, in the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship First Round on Wednesday afternoon at Brock-Affleck Field at the Irv Schmid Sports Complex. With the win, the Pride advance to the second round of the Championship and will take on Williams College on Saturday.

With the loss, the Braves season comes to a close with a 13-8-1 record while Springfield improves to 16-2-1.

“I thought we played very well today,” said Springfield head coach John Gibson. “Today really was a quality experience for our team. Obviously, the wind was a key factor and I thought we did a good job of exploiting it. It was very important for us to get that third goal late in the first half, and I thought we did well in the second half at possessing the ball. I was very impressed with the organization and quality of play by Husson this afternoon.”

The Pride tallied its first goal of the game at the 12:23 mark when Shanda Kogut (Preston, Conn.) received a feed from Hanewich and slipped a ball into the right corner of the net.

In the 38th minute, Hanewich flicked a ball into the middle of the box onto a cutting Brittany Collins (South Windsor, Conn.). Collins settled the ball and fired a shot underneath the sprawling Braves’ keeper Tatyana Wolterbeek (Moody, Maine) to give the home team a 2-0 advantage.

Collins returned the favor just under five minutes later at the 43:23 mark when she sent a through ball past the Husson defense towards Hanewich. Hanewich made the most of her breakaway and sent a strike into the ride side of the net for the Pride’s final tally of the game.

“With such a young team, we learned some good lessons today,” said Husson head coach Keith Bosley. “We gave to much space and allowed Springfield to get in front early in the first half. We cut down our mistakes in the second half and closed down their attack and transition in the midfield. For what we thought was going to be a rebuilding year, I am certainly very proud of my team.”

Springfield tested Wolterbeek throughout the game, peppering her with 26 shots. Wolterbeek made nine saves in the game while Sue Jenney (Agawam, Mass.) faced just three shots on the afternoon for the Pride and did not need to make a save to register the shutout.

With her four points on the day, Hanewich now has 39 points on the season as she has recorded 16 goals and seven assists. It is the most points in a season for Springfield since Angel Schofield recorded 46 points off 18 goals and 10 assists in 1991.

“Nicole has been quiet lately, but it was nice to see her get back on track today,” said Gibson. “She certainly is a very talented player, and that is something that we are looking for.”

The Pride will next travel to Williams College to take on the Ephs on Saturday, November 10. Game time is still to be determined.

published: 11/07/2007