Preview: #2 Seed Women’s Soccer Faces Off With #3 Seed Pitt-Greensburg in ECAC Semifinals - Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Athletics (2024)

Women's Soccer 11/10/2023 1:30:00 PM

Madison, N.J. (November 10)- The second-seeded FDU-Florham women's soccer team is set to face off with third-seeded University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg in the Semifinals of the 2023 ECAC Division III Women's Soccer Championship Tournament on Saturday, November 11 at 7:30 pm.

Tournament Central

Scouting the Devils

The 2022 ECAC Champions, FDU-Florham enters this matchup with an overall record of 11-8-1, it is the sixth straight season the Devils have finished with 10+ wins. While conference play was not what the team had expected, finishing 2-5 in the MAC Freedom and missing the conference tournament, the team did post a 9-3-1 non-conference record, including 4-1-1 non-conference home record on Robert T. Shields Field, where the tournament will take place.

The Devils are led by Head Coach and 2022 ECAC Coach of the Year Kristin Giotta, who, in her 17^th season, has an overall record of 184-151-22 as the Head Coach of the Devils.

Defensively, FDU-Florham goalkeeper Erica Blackburn (Marlboro, N.J.) is as good as they come. The Second team All-MAC Freedom goalkeeper and two-time MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Week this year (10 overall) has 112 saves on the year which ranked second in their league this year and is averaging 5.66 saves per game. She has also posted 1.76 goals against average and has one shutout on the season. Blackburn is also helped out with her backline of Sofia Carrozza (Pawling, N.Y.), Amanda Martinho (Bridgewater, N.J.) and Carly Drumm (Cherry Hill, N.J.) as well as the presence of midfielders Jenna Conanan (Hazlet, N.J.) and Carly Santucci (Middlesex, N.J.)

Offensively, The Devils are lead All-MAC Freedom Honorable Mention selection Ashley Dietrich (Middletown, N.J.) who in a tough conference field, was top five in the conference in multiple scoring areas. She ranked second in assists (9), tied for second in game-winning goals (4) and fourth in goals (12) and points (33). Also, a threat to score at any time are speedster forwards Mia Lopez (Rockaway, N.J.) and Madison Kleinwaks (Boonton, N.J.). Lopez led the MAC Freedom in total shots this season with 82 while scoring in nine goals and tallying four assists for 22 points which is the sixth best mark in their league this season. Kleinwaks has six goals and assists for 15 points on the year.

Scouting the Bobcats

The Pittsburgh-Greensburg women's soccer team enters this matchup as the three seed with an overall record of 13-5-2. In non-conference play, the team posted a 5-5-1 record including a 2-4-0 record in non-conference away matches.

The Bobcats had a successful season this year that saw them enter the Alleghany Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) as the second seed. In the first round, they defeated Penn State Altoona 7-0 to advance to the AMCC Finals. They ultimately lost the championship game that went into penalty kicks and were outshot 3-0.

Pitt-Greensburg is led by Head Coach Chuck Wigle, who has entered his 11^th season with the team and has had a winning record with this program every season since 2015, including eclipsing the 100-win mark at the helm.

The Bobcat offense is led by 2023 AMCC Offensive Player of the Year Maya Wertlet who led their league in goals (17) and points during the regular season. The team has also seen a big contribution offensively from Megan Hickey, who was second in total points behind Wertlet with 34 on the year including 12 goals and 10 assists.

The Pitt-Greensburg defense is anchored by the play of Midfielder/Defender Nylah Pannebaker and goalkeeper Paige John. Pannebaker was named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year for the AMCC as she contributes to a Bobcats defense that allowed the second lowest point total in the conference as well as led the conference in minutes played. John led the AMCC in most goalie statistics. In conference play, she only allowed five goals in, had 0.61 goals against average and had a .900 save percentage.

The winner of this matchup will advance to the ECAC Finals and play the winner of the 5pm matchup between first seeded Hartford and fourth seeded New Jersey City.

Semifinals - Saturday, Nov. 11 at FDU-Florham
Game 1: No. 1 University of Hartford vs. No. 4 New Jersey City University - 5:00 p.m.
Game 2: No. 2FDU-Florham vs. No. 3 University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg - 7:30 p.m.

Championship – Sunday, Nov. 12 at FDU-Florham
Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 - 3:00 pm.

Ticket Prices: CASH ONLY
$5 – Adults
$3 – Seniors
$3 – Students with valid school ID
FDU students, Faculty & Staff – FREE
Children Under 6 years of age - FREE

For the latest on FDU-Florham Athletics, follow the Devils via social media (@FDUDevils) onTwitter,Facebook,InstagramandYoutube.