SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (Nov. 15)  -  After playing to a scoreless tie through both regulation and two overtime periods, WestConn prevailed over Skidmore College by a 5-4 margin on penalty kicks in Saratoga Springs, NY, Saturday.  WestConn, an NCAA tournament national semifinalist in 2007, advances to play the College of New Jersey at 1:00pm Sunday afternoon.

Although scoreless, the first half of play had its share of drama.  At the 29:20 mark, WestConn's Nicole Seiber (Newtown, CT) beat the Skidmore defense into the left side of the box, but was tackled from behind before taking the shot.  The officials ruled the tackle legal, much to the dismay of the vocal WestConn supporters.  Three minutes later, a pass into the box in front of the Skidmore goal bounced over Skidmore's goalkeeper, Meghan Sleezer (Gloversville, NY).  WestConn's Lauren Matthews (Monroe, CT) raced toward the loose ball but Sleezer was able to dive on the ball just before Matthews could punch it into the goal.

WestConn dominated play in the offensive end throughout the second half.  At the 57:10 mark, Skidmore appeared to break through the WestConn defense for the game's first goal, but the play was called off sides.  Four minutes later, Catherine Nathans (New Fairfield, CT) blasted a shot that rebounded off the Skidmore goalie directly to Lauren Matthews just to the left of the goal.  Another aggressive Skidmore tackle prevented Matthews from taking a shot, keeping the score 0-0.  In the game's 66th minute, Nathans beat the Skidmore defense down the left side and centered the ball perfectly to Kelli Veras (Trumball, CT) who was moving through the middle of the box, but Veras' shot sailed inches outside the right post.  With 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Nicole Seiber received a pass in the middle of the box about 10 yards away from the goal, but her shot was just over the crossbar.  As regulation came to a close, WestConn's Dommonique Pascascio (Hamden, CT) fired a shot from the middle of the box, but Skidmore's goalkeeper was positioned perfectly to make the save.

WestConn again dominated play in the first overtime period, and nearly ended the game when Victoria Capozziello's (Fairfield, CT) attempt to center the ball to Jillian Duran (Uncasville, CT) directly in front of the Skidmore goal was just out of reach.  After 110 minutes of play, the score remained tied at 0-0, meaning the outcome would be decided by penalty kicks.

Skidmore gained the first advantage during penalty kicks when Sleezer dove to her right, blocking the shot of WestConn's second shooter, Nicole Seiber.  Skidmore's Lauren Madden (Huntington, NY) pushed her shot just outside the left post, tying the penalty kick score at 3-3.  After Catherine Nathans and Felicia McGarry (Waterford, CT) converted their attempts, Skidmore freshman Jenni Hibbard (Dedham, MA) stepped to the line with the game (and the end of the season) on the line.  Her shot was deflected just over the crossbar by a leaping Shannon Cawley (Willimatic, CT), giving the Colonials a hard-fought victory.

For the game, Cawley and Sleezer each made five saves, while Skidmore had a slight advantage in shots, 13-12.  WestConn took seven corner kicks to four for Skidmore.

The Colonials, winners of this year's Little East Conference Tournament title, advance to play on Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm against the College of New Jersey.