Senior Kapatoes records both goals
This is the first NE-10 championship since 1995 for Stonehill. The win guarantees the Skyhawks a bid in the NCAA Division II Tournament, its first in school history. This season's record has been Stonehill's best mark since 1999 when the team went 17-4-0. The Skyhawks have also reached national rankings six weeks in the season, matching its highest ranking of four this season, with the last time in 1999.
Following the game, awards were presented to the MVP of the tournament and the All-Tournament team. From Stonehill, senior Lauren Kapatoes (Hopedale, Mass./Hopedale) was named MVP, while Brianna Duserick (Canton, Mass./Canton), and Jamie Block (Georgetown, Mass./Georgetown) were named to the team. From Pace, Delany Williams and Alyssa Zeoli picked up accolades.
For Stonehill (15-5-1, 8-5-1 NE-10) Kapatoes scored the Skyhawks' two goals, while Taylor Shannahan (Mendham, N.J./Morris Catholic) and Emily Scollard (Lynnfield, Mass./Lynnfield) recorded the assists.
Pace's (12-7-2, 7-5-2 NE-10) Zeoli tallied the lone goal, as Williams assisted her in the second half.
Stonehill started off the game with multiple opportunities as there were three corner kicks in the first 25 minutes of the game. The Skyhawks capitalized on the third one as Shannahan sent an inswinger to the box finding Kapatoes who was able to head the ball past the Setters' goalkeeper in the 26th minute.
Pace was unable to complete any attempts in the first half, as Stonehill's defense contained the Setters with their 9-5 shot advantage. One close call occurred in the 33rd minute of the game, as Williams sent a left-footed chipper to the right corner but Block dove in perfect timing, keeping the Skyhawks' lead at one at the end of the half.
Both teams continued playing strong defense into the second half as the Setters tallied five corner kicks before capitalizing on a through ball from Williams to Zeoli as she found the back of the net knotting the game at one in the 84th minute.
Pace was able to get off one more shot in the 88th minute, as Ashley Kenny was denied by Block. Stonehill regained possession after Block sent the ball across midfield after her save. Scollard collected the goal kick and sent a cross from 25 yards out inside the six-yard box giving Kapatoes an opportunity to track the ball down. The senior headed the ball past the goalkeeper tallying her eighth goal and third game winner of the season at 88:21. Stonehill was able to hold the ball for the remaining minute of the game keeping Pace from putting the ball in its offensive third.
Stonehill waits for the NCAA Division II Selection Show for its fate in its first appearance in the tournament in school history. The show will be streamed on NCAA.com on Monday, November 7 at 6 p.m.
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Northeast-10 All-Tournament Team
Lauren Kapatoes (MVP) - Stonehill
Jamie Block - Stonehill
Brianna Duserick - Stonehill
Alyssa Zeoli - Pace
Delany Williams - Pace
Morgan Santoro - Adelphi
Rachel Terry - Le Moyne
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