STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Wagner College women's soccer team is heading back to the NEC Championship after earning a thrilling 3–2 double-overtime victory over defending champion Howard on Thursday night at Hameline Field.
With the win, the No. 2-seeded Seahawks improved to 10–2–6 overall and advanced to their second NEC title match in program history — and their first time hosting the conference final. Howard, the No. 3 seed, concludes its season at 9–7–3 (7–2–2 NEC).
The Bison struck first in the 36th minute and held onto a 1–0 lead heading into halftime.
Wagner quickly responded after the break as junior
Alana Goldsmith netted the equalizer in the 56th minute. The Bison answered just 36 seconds later to reclaim the advantage at 2–1.
The Seahawks continued to press, and sophomore forward
Anayah Rivera delivered in the clutch once again, scoring in the 89th minute to level the match at 2–2 and force overtime.
After a scoreless first extra period, senior
Izzy Gomez sent the Hameline Field crowd into celebration in the 106th minute, burying the golden goal to lift Wagner to a 3–2 victory. The strike marked Gomez's team-leading eighth goal of the season and her second game-winner.
Wagner held an 11–4 advantage in shots and a 5–0 edge in corners while controlling possession throughout the second half and both overtime periods. Sophomore goalkeeper
Abigail Marcello went the full 105 minutes to earn her sixth win of the season.
Following the match, head coach
Phil Casella said, "I told the girls after regulation there was going to be one moment — and Izzy rose to the occasion and hit a great goal for the winner."
With the result, the Seahawks advance to Sunday's NEC Championship match, where they will host No. 4 seed Central Connecticut State for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff on Hameline Field, live on ESPN+.
The two teams met in the 2023 NEC Final, where the No. 2 seed Blue Devils edged the No. 6 seed Seahawks in penalty kicks, 4–3, in New Britain, Conn.
CCSU advances to the 2025 NEC Championship after defeating top-seeded FDU, 1–0, on Thursday night.
