Mancino's Blast in the 88th Minute Seals Victory
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Adrianne Mancino's blast from 25 yards out with less than three minutes remaining in regulation proved to be the winning tally as No. 1 seed Samford defeated No. 3 College of Charleston, 1-0, in the championship match of the SoCon Women's Soccer Championship at the UNCG Soccer Stadium.
With the victory, Samford (14-5-2) advances to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship, which begins next Friday at sites around the country. The selection show will air Monday, November 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.
Mancino collected the ball and dribbled into space before launching her shot just above the outstretched arms of Charleston goalkeeper Cricket Wise at the 87:29 mark. The goal, her third of the season, spoiled an exceptional effort by Wise who recorded five saves and kept the Bulldogs at bay for much of the match.
Samford goalkeeper Alyssa Whitehead notched her eighth shutout of the season, and second of the weekend, while corralling four shots. The clean sheet was the 34th of Whitehead's career, moving her into a tie with UNCG's Kelsey Kearney for the second-most in conference history and the most among active players.
The Bulldogs had the best scoring opportunity of the first half when Lindsey Hansen drew a foul in the box in the 35th minute, earning a penalty kick. Wise stonewalled Shanika Thomas' attempt, however, diving to her right to make the save and maintain the shutout.
With the first half clock winding down, Samford was awarded an indirect kick inside the box when play was stopped as the ball became lodged beneath a pile of players from both teams. Mancino's attempt from eight yards away sailed high to end the half.
Sarah Wilkinson, Trine Taule and Amanda Abbott each had good looks at the frame midway through the second half but Wise and the Cougars' defense remained up to the task.
The victory was Samford's 10th straight, and it stretches the Bulldogs' unbeaten streak to a school-record 14 matches.
Samford's title is its first as a member of the Southern Conference, although the Bulldogs will be making their third NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005. Prior to joining the conference, Samford advanced to the postseason in both 2005 and 2007.
Charleston concludes its season with a 13-8-1 mark after falling in the SoCon title match for the second time in the past three seasons.
All-Tournament Team
Alyssa Althoff, Furman
Caitlin Shelton, Furman
Katie Merson, Georgia Southern
Sara Oland, Georgia Southern
Hope Atkinson, College of Charleston
Hannah Gmerek, College of Charleston
Sarah Schaidle, College of Charleston
Adrianne Mancino, Samford
Shanika Thomas, Samford
Alyssa Whitehead, Samford
Sarah Wilkinson, Samford
Most Outstanding Player - Shanika Thomas, Samford