Women's Soccer Advances To Northeast Conference Tournament Final With 2-0 Victory over Sacred Heart

(boxscore)

11/3/06 -- Freshman Aly Hanson (New Milford, N.J) tallied her ninth goal of the season and her fourth game-winner to lead top-seeded Long Island University to a 2-0 victory over No. 4 Sacred Heart in the first semifinal match of the NEC Women's Soccer Tournament on Friday afternoon at LIU Field in Brooklyn, NY.

Sophomore Christina O’Connor (Venetia, Pa.) also scored for the Blackbirds, who advance to the conference finals for the second consecutive season.

After 20 minutes of scoreless action, Hanson notched the game’s first goal in the 24th minute. Junior midfielder Caley Troutman (South Park, Pa.) made a cross from the left side to senior Christine Gans (Pittsburgh, Pa.). Gans headed the ball right to Hanson, who netted her team-best ninth of the year.

The Blackbirds’ second goal came off a corner in the 37th minute. Gans again started the action, as her corner ricocheted off a Pioneer defender to junior Catie Blake (Southbridge, Mass.). The Second Team All-NEC performer slid a pass to O’Connor, who blasted the ball into the back of the net for her first goal this season.

Sacred Heart fought tough in the second half, and outshot Long Island, 6-2, in the stanza. First Team All-NEC midfielder senior Lisa Burbige provided the Pioneers with their best scoring chance. Her shot from just outside the box with 27:03 remaining in the contest was headed towards the top portion of the goal. LIU senior goalkeeper Stephanie Kansky (Bellevue, Wash.) was there to deflect the ball into the crossbar. Second Team All-NEC selection Britney Dupee had a rebound opportunity but could not convert as Kansky was there again.

Gans' two assists on the day give her 10 this season, a new LIU all-time single season record. Kansky recorded five saves on the day to push her career total to 20, a career record.

The Pioneers finish their season at 6-13-1 while Long Island improves to 12-7-1.