CALDWELL, N.J. - Junior defender Nikki D'Orsaneo (Bowie, MD/Bowie) converted a penalty kick in the 20th minute to give the Caldwell College women's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Felician College in the Cougars' final regular-season game Friday afternoon at Caldwell Field. The win also clinched fifth place in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference for Caldwell (10-7, 8-4 CACC) heading into next week's CACC Tournament. The Golden Falcons (7-10, 6-6 CACC) claimed the final spot in the tournament with an eighth place finish.
Less than 20 minutes into the game, a handball was called on Felician in the Golden Falcons' penalty area. D'Orsaneo took the ensuing penalty kick and blasted a low shot just inside the left goalpost for a 1-0 Caldwell lead. The Cougars had multiple chances to score an insurance goal but were unsuccessful, keeping the game close. Freshman forward Casey Piekos (Camp Hill, PA/Cedar Cliff) hit the post with a shot near the end of the first half. In the second half, Felician goalkeeper Allie Couzo made point-blank saves on shots from freshman forward Julie Crankshaw (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Twp.), senior midfielder Lauren Mastellone (Howell, NJ/Monsignor Donovan) and senior forward Jackie D'Orsaneo (Bowie, MD/Bowie).
With less than 10 minutes to play in the game, the Golden Falcons built momentum as they pressed for the equalizer. But Caldwell senior goalkeeper Lauren Hoenig (Howell, NJ/Howell) made a pair of saves down the stretch to preserve the victory. For the game, Hoenig recorded three saves for her third shutout of the season and the 11th shutout of her career. Shaneil Lorenzo, who started the game in goal for Felician and played the first half, registered three saves, while Couzo had four saves. The Cougars held a 16-11 advantage in shots for the game.
The victory allowed Caldwell to tie the program's record for most CACC wins in a season, matching the 2004 squad's 8-2 record in league play. Friday's game also marked the final home contest for the Cougars' five seniors: Jackie D'Orsaneo, Mastellone, Hoenig, forward Shannon Ellenbart (Estell Manor, NJ/Buena Regional) and midfielder Eliza Urciuoli (Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell).
Caldwell advances to the first round of the CACC Tournament to face fourth-seeded Holy Family University on Monday, Nov. 1. The Tigers edged the Cougars in double overtime, 3-2 back on Oct. 2 at Caldwell. The rematch is set for 2:00 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa.
CC - 1 0 - 0
FC - 0 0 - 0
Scoring Summary: 1. CC - Nikki D'Orsaneo 6 (penalty kick), 19:54.
Shots: CC - 16; FC - 11
Saves: CC - Lauren Hoenig 3; FC - Shaneil Lorenzo (45:00) 3; Allie Couzo (45:00) 4
Corners: CC - 5; FC - 1
Fouls: CC - 15; FC - 10
Offsides: CC - 8; FC - 1
Cautions: CC - Royse (57:25); FC - Selimaj (19:54)
