Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- A pair of 1st-half goals proved to be enough for the University of New England to defeat Endicott College by a 2-1 margin in the Conference of New England (CNE) women's soccer regular-season finale on Tuesday (Oct. 29) at Barbara J. Hazard Field.

The Nor'easters (13-5-1, 6-2-1 CNE, 19 points) vault up into the second position with the victory and earn a first-round bye in the postseason championship. UNE entered the day in fourth place, one point behind the Gulls (9-5-4, 5-2-2, 17 points), and both sides faced result scenarios ranging four or five seed lines. EC drops to the No.5 spot and will be on the road when the tournament begins on Saturday.

The hosts struck early in the 8th minute when Morgan Diefenbach headed home a corner kick by Lizzie Frattaroli [Watch]. That cushion doubled in the 31st minute, as a cross from the left wing by Karley Belisle was flicked further into the box by Lindsey Butler and Brooke Pierotti one-timed it in [Watch]. For both Diefenbach and Pierotti, it was goal number three on the year; Belisle now stands at 12 assists, and Frattaroli has nine.

Endicott was able to get one back in the 80th minute off the foot of Gabrielle Klindtworth, but it was the last shot the visitors took, as UNE killed off the remaining clock.

Haley Coombs totaled five saves for the Nor'easters, while Rosalina Caliri had three stops for the Gulls.

Next Tuesday at 5 p.m., UNE will host the winner between third-seeded Gordon College and sixth seed Roger Williams University in the semifinal round. It is the ninth time the Nor'easters have reached the league's final four.