The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- December 20, 1999

Late goal triggers Ravens' sixth women's soccer championship

Franklin Pierce won its fifth Division II Women's Soccer Championship in six years by defeating Cal Poly Pomona, 3-1, December 4 at Barry.

The Ravens maintained their perfect record in the championship finals, while the Broncos were making their first appearance in the final match.

Franklin Pierce senior Minna Mustonen scored the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute by chipping an 18-yard shot just past the reach of Broncos goalkeeper Katie Kreps. The Ravens added two more goals when Tanja Pihlblad scored off a deflection at 82:42 and Angela Verdoes scored from six yards out less than two minutes later.

"The first half was tough, because both teams had a lot of chances," Verdoes said. "We got a little bit down, and so we stuck our heads together, and I think we did a great job in the second half by finishing the chances we had."

Cal Poly Pomona's lone goal came with less than five minutes left in the game when Michelle Maitland passed a scoring opportunity to Shellie Shinedling, who capitalized with a shot that got past Shemeth.

Jeff Bailey, head coach of Franklin Pierce, was impressed with the toughness of both teams.

"I thought Pomona matched us every bit in the first half," he said. "They're very dangerous on the break. I thought our defense did a good job. I felt that the first team to score was going to win this one."

"They took advantage of their opportunities, and we didn't, and as a result, they won it," said Cal Poly Pomona head coach Carlos Juarez. "In the second half, I thought we played very good soccer. The season we had, the longer the game goes and it stays close, we tend to get better. With the score 0-0 at half time and having had some opportunities gave us more confidence, and they were definitely frustrated. We put up a good battle, and I think that one goal, the first goal, is the one that really changed the game."

Mustonen was voted the tournament's most outstanding offensive player. Barry's Merry Osikowicz was named as the tournament's most outstanding defensive player. Joining Mustonen on the all-tournament team from Franklin Pierce were Verdoes, Pihlblad, Brenda van Stralen and Pia Lahti.

The Broncos had three players, Tara Chance, Monique Chambers and Ruth Van't Land, named to the all-tournament squad. Joining them were Northern Kentucky's Betsy Moore and Tricia Ruark and Barry's Pamela McDonald and Jenny Nilsson.

The Ravens, who beat Northern Kentucky, 2-0, in the semifinals, finished their championship season with a record of 20-1-0, while Cal Poly Pomona, which won its semifinal match over Barry, 2-1 in overtime, completed a 17-6-1 campaign.

SEMIFINALS

Northern Ky. -- 0 -- 0 -- 0

Franklin Pierce -- 1 -- 1 -- 2

First half: FP -- Brenda van Stralen (unassisted), 34:18.

Second half: FP -- Tanja Pihlblad (Angela Verdoes), 69:15.

Shots: Northern Ky. 8, Franklin Pierce 13. Goalkeeper saves: Northern Ky. (Lauren Piening) 7, Franklin Pierce (Kara Shemeth) 4. Corner kicks: Northern Ky. 2, Franklin Pierce 7. Fouls: Northern Ky. 15, Franklin Pierce 17. Yellow cards: Northern Ky. -- Malissa Stevenson; Franklin Pierce -- Nicole Cheadle. Attendance: 374.

Cal Poly Pomona -- 0 -- 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 1 -- 2

Barry -- 0 -- 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 1

Second half: B -- Kate Ahern (Ashley Snell, Colleen Gramlich), 47:51; CP -- Ruth Van't Land (Tara Chance), 61:19.

Overtime: CP -- Shellie Shinedling (unassisted), 141:21.

Shots: Cal Poly Pomona 11, Barry 22. Goalkeeper saves: Cal Poly Pomona (Katie Kreps) 15, Barry (Brandy Kilpatrick) 4. Corner kicks: Cal Poly Pomona 3, Barry 10. Fouls: Cal Poly Pomona 14, Barry 22. Attendance: 1,153.

CHAMPIONSHIP

Cal Poly Pomona -- 0 -- 1 -- 1

Franklin Pierce -- 0 -- 3 -- 3

Second half: FP -- Minna Mustonen (Angela Verdoes), 72:19; FP -- Tanja Pihlblad (unassisted), 82:42; FP -- Verdoes (Kara Shemeth), 84:12; CP -- Shellie Shinedling (Michelle Maitland), 85:55.

Shots: Cal Poly Pomona 7, Franklin Pierce 11. Goalkeeper saves: Cal Poly Pomona (Katie Kreps) 4; Franklin Pierce (Kara Shemeth) 4. Corner kicks: Cal Poly Pomona 1, Franklin Pierce 6. Fouls: Cal Poly Pomona 3, Franklin Pierce 14. Attendance: 517.