The women's soccer team earned its second consecutive invitation to the NCAA Division III Tournament when the Dutchwomen captured their second UCAA championship in the last two years. Unlike the 1998 title which did not carry an automatic bid (and the Dutchwomen did not get an invitation despite a league record of 6-0-0 and an overall standard of 13-1-1), this year's title ensures that Union will be on the field when the event begins on November 1.
Before the national tournament, however, the Dutchwomen will be looking to defend their New York State Collegiate Athletic Association crown starting next Wednesday. While the bids are not out as yet (they will be announced on Sunday, October 22), Union is expected to be seeded second behind Oneonta and will host the No. 7 seed on Wednesday afternoon. The event's Final Four will be held on Saturday and Sunday (October 28 and 29) at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. Last year Union won its first-ever state title on Vassar's field.
Union's three-year, 24-game home unbeaten streak came to an end on Friday the 13th when UCAA rival William Smith recorded a 2-1 overtime decision. The Dutchwomen came out the next day and defeated Hamilton, 1-0, when junior Tonia Deligiannis (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) scored on a first-half penalty kick. Sophomore goaltender Carolyn Stead (Portland, ME/Deering) made the goal standup with her eighth shutout of the campaign. Union won the league title with 9ts 6-1-0 record while William Smith finished second at 5-1-1 (losing to St. Lawrence, 1-0, and tying Hamilton, 0-0 in double overtime).
The Dutchwomen, who are 12-1-1 overall, end the regular season on Thursday (October 19…at 3:30) against visiting Russell Sage.
Union has outscored the opposition by a 59-5 margin with 10 shutouts.