The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- December 21, 1998

Wake-up call propels Lynn to first crown in women's soccer

Lynn won its first Division II Women's Soccer Championship by defeating Sonoma State, 3-1, in the final December 6 at Boca Raton, Florida.

Sonoma State took the lead early when Amy Apodaca headed the ball past Lynn goalkeeper Nikki Kalavitis off of a corner kick by Susie Burke. The goal was the first against Lynn in the tournament.

"I think the early goal woke us up and made us step up our game even more," Lynn head coach Rocky Orezzoli said.

Freshman Sue Sheehan scored what proved to be the game-winner at the 59-minute mark when her header off an assist by Keri Lief went into the Cossacks' goal.

Lynn relished the victory after two years of setbacks.

"We all had a common goal after the disappointment of the last two seasons," Orezzoli said. "We knew that we were close, but we hadn't gotten over the hump. With the history of our program, this championship shows once again that Lynn is one of the top women's soccer teams in the country."

Lynn (19-1) advanced to the final by taking down four-time defending national champion Franklin Pierce, 4-0.

The loss snapped Franklin Pierce's 59-match winning streak.

SEMIFINALS

Sonoma St. -- 3 -- 2 -- 5

Ashland -- 2 -- 0 -- 2

First half: A -- Erin Sluga (Marissa Roth), 5:38; SS -- Susie Burke (Rachel Simpson, Sarah Brosius), 27:19; SS -- Joy Durand (Brosius), 30:21; A -- Kelly Jacobs (unassisted), 40:18; SS -- Stacy Barker (unassisted), 40:29.

Second half: SS -- Barker (Simpson), 58:58; SS -- Simpson (Brosius), 59:22.

Shots: Sonoma St. 16, Ashland 4. Goalkeeper saves: Sonoma St. (Kara Stout 0, Mimi Yapor-Cox 0) 0, Ashland (Tiffany Crooks 6, Liz Miller 0) 6. Corner kicks: Sonoma St. 0, Ashland 1. Fouls: Sonoma St. 9, Ashland 11. Attendance: 312.

Lynn -- 2 -- 2 -- 4

Franklin Pierce -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

First half: L -- Adele Talamo (Michelle Cox), :58; L -- Karin Svensson (Marie Kolbert), 32:38.

Second half: L -- Marini Andersson (Susan Sheehan), 71:11; L -- Sheehan (Kolbert), 83:22.

Shots: Lynn 11, Franklin Pierce 5, Goalkeeper saves: Lynn (Nikki Kalavitis) 2, Franklin Pierce (Barbara Carbon) 3. Corner kicks: Lynn 3, Franklin Pierce 5. Fouls: Lynn 12, Franklin Pierce 15. Attendance: 852.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Sonoma St. -- 1 -- 0 -- 1

Lynn -- 1 -- 2 -- 3

First half: SS -- Amy Apodaca (Susie Burke), 5:35; L -- Keri Lief (Adele Talamo, Marie Kolbert), 44:28.

Second half: L -- Susan Sheehan (Lief), 58:33; L -- Katie Katzmark (Sheehan), 83:06.

Shots: Sonoma St. 6, Lynn 13. Goalkeeper saves: Sonoma St. (Kara Stout) 4, Lynn (Nikki Kalavitis) 2. Corner kicks: Sonoma St. 6, Lynn 13. Fouls: Sonoma St. 12, Lynn 9. Attendance: 1,260.