STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The No. 2-seeded Wagner College women's soccer team made history on Sunday afternoon, capturing its first-ever NEC Championship with a 2–1 double-overtime victory over No. 4 seed Central Connecticut State at Hameline Field.
With the win, the Seahawks improved to 11–2–6 overall and earned the program's first NCAA Tournament berth. CCSU concludes its season at 7–6–5 (6–1–4 NEC).
The Blue Devils struck first in the 9th minute to take an early 1–0 lead.
Wagner continued to apply pressure throughout the first half before breaking through in the 58th minute. As rain began to pour down in the second half, sophomore midfielder
Deirdre Meberg found the equalizer off a double assist from senior
Izzy Gomez and junior
Caroline Kessler to make it 1–1.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net for the remainder of regulation, sending the match into overtime.
After a scoreless first extra period, the Seahawks completed their championship dream in the 104th minute when freshman forward
Riley Frederick delivered the golden goal off a pass from Meberg to secure the 2–1 victory and the NEC crown.
Wagner dominated statistically, outshooting CCSU 22–5 and holding a 9–2 advantage in corner kicks while maintaining control throughout the second half and both extra periods. Meberg finished with a goal and an assist, while Frederick's golden goal marked her fourth tally of the season.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Abigail Marcello made one save to earn her seventh win of the year, anchoring a Wagner defense that held the Blue Devils without a shot on goal over the final 65 minutes.
The NEC Championship marks Wagner's first conference title in program history and adds to a record-breaking season that included a program-best eight NEC wins and 11 overall victories.
"It's awesome," said head coach
Phil Casella. "All credit goes to these kids. We come in with a vision, a goal, and an expectation—and they meet it."
Following the match, senior
Izzy Gomez, sophomore
Hailey Knapp, sophomore
Anayah Rivera, and freshman
Riley Frederick were named to the NEC All-Tournament Team, with Frederick earning NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors.
With the victory, the Seahawks advance to the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament for the first time in program history. The NCAA Selection Show is set for Monday, November 10, at 4:00 p.m. on NCAA.com, with first-round matches taking place November 14–16.
