Teaneck, NJ - The Wagner women's soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament with a 3-0 win at FDU on Sunday afternoon.

Despite entering the tournament as the lowest seed in the field, the program earned its first ever playoff victory in dominant fashion against the defending NEC champions. The Seahawks scored three goals within 27 minutes in the first half, avenging their 2-1 loss to the Knights from just ten days prior.

Graduate student Madison Carr opened the scoring on an assist from midfield by freshman Hannah Costa. Costa's boot toward the penalty area sneaked past every player in the area and Carr read the pass to perfection, leading to a breakaway goal for the Perryville, MD native. Fellow freshman Caroline Kessler was also credited with an assist on the play.

Nine minutes later, freshman Jess Maraia scored her sixth goal of the season to give Wagner a two-goal lead early in the match. As she has done all year, Maraia exhibited her innate speed on the score, racing past her defender to corral the loose ball and fire it past the goalkeeper.

The scoring continued in the 33rd minute as junior Olivia Rubbo gave the Seahawks a commanding three goal lead. Freshman Sara Wiedeman sent the ball through the length of the penalty area to find the right foot of Rubbo for the wide open score.

Three first half goals was all it took to knock the defending champs out of the postseason. The tally marked the most goals in a half for the Seahawks this season and matched their season-high total as well.

Efficiency was key too as the Green & White scored three times on just eight shots.

To back up the offensive explosion, junior Sam Hughes clinched her seventh clean sheet of the year. Hughes's nine saves stymied any chance at momentum for the Knights as the home team failed to crawl back into the contest.

With Sunday's huge win, the Seahawks kept their season alive and moved one step closer to an NEC Championship berth. They will travel to North Andover, MA to take on the top-seeded Merrimack on Thursday, November 2 at 7:00 pm.