2006 NEWMAC WOMEN'S SOCCER TOURNAMENT - Wheaton defeats Smith, 3-0 and wins sixth conference championship

November 5, 2006

NORTON, MA- Wheaton College won its sixth New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Tournament women's soccer championship over the last seven seasons, as the top-seeded Lyons defeated number three Smith College, 3-0 in Sunday afternoon's title game at Mirrione Stadium. With the win, Wheaton advances to its seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament.

Extending their unbeaten streak to 18 games and the nation's second-longest conference unbeaten stretch to 76 games, the Lyons raised their overall record to 20-1-1 and reached the 20-win plateau for the seventh time in eight seasons. Wheaton, ranked 10th in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), has won the last seven postseason meetings against Smith since 1997. The Pioneers, who were making their second championship game appearance in three seasons, fall to 11-7-1.

Following a scoreless opening half in which shots were in favor of the home team at 9-2, the hosts broke the stalemate in the 60th minute, as junior back Erin Davis (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) collected a loose ball from just outside the midfield circle and launched her shot over the outstretched reach of sophomore Lauren Bachtel (Dublin, OH/Coffman) and into the upper middle netting. The goal marked Davis' first game-winner of her career.

Not even four minutes after the Davis goal, junior Katelyn Brack (Lake Oswego, OR/Oregon Episcopal School) headed home a corner from sophomore Angelamaria Viscomi (Newton, MA/Newton North) for a 2-0 Wheaton edge. Junior Lauren Konopka (Medford, NJ/Holy Cross) finished the scoring at 77:38, beating two Smith defenders to her right and lofting a shot into the upper left corner of the net.

The Pioneers had a golden opportunity to prevent the shutout after a Smith player was taken down in the box with just under 12 ticks left, but the ensuing penalty kick sailed over the crossbar. Wheaton held a 16-5 advantage in shots, scoring its three second-half goals on seven attempts, and a 4-0 edge in corner kicks.

Wheaton junior keepers Elana Cockburn (Chestnut Hill, MA/Brookline) and Stacey Kronenberg (Belchertown, MA/Belchertown) combined for two saves during the shutout, with Kronenberg starting in net and Cockburn earning the win. Bachtel was credited with a pair of stops for Smith.

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