Beavers Set for TCNJ
NEW YORK – Coming off of their second City University of New York Athletic Conference title in four seasons, the City College of New York women's soccer team (15-4) heads to its first ever NCAA Tournament as the Beavers face 14th-ranked The College of New Jersey on Saturday, Nov. 10 in the opening round of the 2012 Division III NCAA Tournament at 11 AM at Walton Field in Haverford, Pennsylvania.
The Lions (14-1-3) earned at an-large bid to the tournament and are making their 22nd consecutive appearance and are the top seed in the regional matchup.
Senior Dzindzi Asamoah-Wade paces the historic 2012 club that has set school records in wins (15), shutouts (13), goals scored (64) and assists (51).
Wade recorded her 20th goal of the season en route to winning MVP and clinching the CUNYAC title for the Beavers. The senior leads a Beavers team that has won 15 games under fourth-year head coach Don Manfria and marked the first CUNYAC title for CCNY since 2009.
The City College defense became known to frustrate and limit its opponent's shots on goal as the Beavers posted 13 shutouts, led by goalkeeper Nicole Carroll, junior sweeper Heather Ruger, junior defender Lindsay De La Rosa and senior Angelica Lopez.
De La Rosa earned the first ever CUNYAC / Applebee's Women's Soccer Defender of the Week honors and Ruger followed in the final week of the regular season. Wade earned women's soccer player of the week honors three times, including back-to-back weeks to end the regular season while Tapia earned the weekly honor once this season. Junior transfer Paola Ramos earned rookie of the week honors after posting five assists in three games earlier this season (week ending on Oct. 15). Wade and Tapia earned ECAC Player of the Week nods once this year and De La Rosa was named ECAC Defender of the Week earlier this season.
Wade leads all Beavers with 20 goals and added nine assists on the year while senior Frances Tapia recorded 11 goals and nine assists and Ramos added eight goals and a team-high 11 assists. Senior Tabitha Azor and freshman Taylor Jo Gillen combined for 13 goals, seven and six, respectively, and six assists while Jessica Salas registered 11 points on the year with four goals and three helpers. Carroll allowed just 17 goals and made 91 saves in as the junior set the CCNY and CUNYAC single-season record with 13 saves.
"I am so proud of our ladies and coaches," said CCNY President Lisa Coico. "They are fantastic! Congratulations on a wonderful season and a wonderful win."
Athletic Director Jackee Meadow echoed President Coico's statement, along with the importance of the leadership shown by CCNY's two captains.
"Led by two fantastic leaders, Heather Ruger and Dzindzi Asamoah-Wade, this year's women's soccer team has had a sensational season," said Meadow. "I am so proud of the team's record breaking success in spite of the daily challenges they face without a permanent home field. They are an exciting team to watch and combine an aggressive offensive attack with intense defense and thrive on competition. I wish them all the best in their first NCAA appearance."
Tapia, Azor and Lopez have the distinction of becoming the only three girls in City College history to win conference titles in their freshmen and senior years, respectively. This season also marked the first time in conference history that the CUNYAC playoffs winner automatically earned a ticket into the NCAA Tournament.
Live stats will be provided by clicking here while Sports Information Director Kelvin Queliz will provide in-game updates via Twitter (@CCNYSports) and Facebook. Tickets can be purchased at the field and are $2 for children ages 3-12, $3 for senior citizens and $6 for adults.
Please log on to CCNYAthletics.com or call / e-mail Queliz (212-650-6925 / kqueliz@ccny.cuny.edu) for more details.
Directions to Haverford College, including parking and driving directions can be found by clicking here.
