Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine – Morgan Diefenbach headed in the game's only goal in the 89th minute as No.2 University of New England secured a 1-0 victory over seventh-seeded Endicott College in the 2022 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Women's Soccer Championship quarterfinal round on Saturday evening (Oct. 29) at Barbara J. Hazard Field.
 
The Nor'easters (10-5-3) will host No.3 Curry College in the semifinals on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Colonels advanced with a 4-2 decision over sixth seed Salve Regina University. [Interactive Bracket]
 
UNE was awarded a corner kick late in regulation and the Endicott defense was unable to clear the zone, leading to another Nor'easter corner. Bella Reil launched the kick high into the middle of the box and Diefenbach found the lower-left corner of the goal past the diving Gulls keeper with just 1:25 left to play. [Watch]
 
Neither team's defense gave an inch all evening. Endicott had just a few scoring chances off set pieces throughout the night, but Ariel Martin kept the game scoreless. UNE's back line was also able to limit the opportunities for the Gulls' offense and aid in the team's sixth shutout of the season.
 
The Nor'easters had two great chances in the first half which narrowly missed. A shot by Tori Keyes just grazed the fingertips of Endicott goalie Jacqueline Ruggiero and went wide. Karley Belisle also hit the crossbar with a try.
 
Total attempts favored Endicott on the day, 12-8. Martin made six saves for the clean sheet. Ruggiero had two stops for the Gulls, who finish the season at 9-5-5.
 
The result avenged a UNE setback to Endicott in the regular-season finale just four days earlier. The Nor'easters have now made at least the semifinal round in each of the last four league tournaments.