AMHERST, N.Y. – Sophomore Alyssa Diaz (Rochester, N.Y.) registered her first career hat trick to lead Daemen University to a 6-0 victory over Lincoln University in NCAA Division II women's soccer action this afternoon at Karrer Field.
It marked the regular season finale for both teams. Daemen ran its winning streak to four-straight games and improved to now 5-1-1 over its last seven games. The Wildcats closed out the regular season with a 5-9-2 overall record and 5-3-0 mark in league play. Lincoln finished 1-14-0 overall and 0-8-0 in the ECC.
Daemen has qualified for the four-team ECC Championship tournament for the second-straight year and the third time overall. The Wildcats are seeded fourth and will travel to top-seeded Mercy for a semifinal game this Wednesday (Nov. 2). More details will be announced later and a full game preview will be posted to www,daemenwildcats.com on Tuesday.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Daemen scored nine minutes into the game today and held a 3-0 lead at halftime.
- Two seniors teamed up for Daemen's first goal shortly after being honored in a pre-game ceremony in recognition of their final home game. Faye Panagopoulos (Kenmore, N.Y.) opened the scoring off a pass from Nicole Grichen (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) at 9:16. Panagopoulos has now scored a goal in three of the last four games.
- Diaz netted her first of the game in the 21st minute, with Panagopoulos and Grichen picking up assists.
- Freshman Kylie Miranto (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) closed out the first-half scoring off a feed from junior Madita Zeitz (Malsch, Germany). It was the fifth goal of the year for Miranto, who has now scored a goal in four-straight games.
- Diaz scored twice in the span of seven minutes early in the second half to complete her hat trick and give the hosts a 5-0 lead.
- Daemen closed out the scoring when senior Natalie Such (Rochester, N.Y.) converted a penalty kick in the 68th minute. It marked the first career goal for Such.
- Seven players recorded a point in the game for Daemen. Grichen and senior Tatyjana Scalisi (Williamsville, N.Y.) both recorded two assists, while Panagopoulos finished with a goal and an assist.
- Senior Megan White (West Seneca, N.Y.) made her first career start in net for Daemen and recorded one save before being replaced by fellow senior Tori DeLappi (Medina, N.Y.) late in the second half. DeLappi stopped two shots over the final 11 minutes.
- Freshman Ida Rose Moore went the distance in net for the Lions and stopped seven shots.
GAME NOTES
- Today's game marked fifxth all-time meeting between the Wildcats and the Lions. Daemen has prevailed in all five meetings.
- Diaz has totaled a team-high seven goals and 16 points. All of her goals and points have come over the last seven games.
- Miranto ranks second in goals (5) and points (11), followed by while Panagopoulos (3-3—9), Scalisi (2-3—7) and junior Brooke Amato (3-0—6).
UP NEXT
- Daemen heads to top-seeded Mercy for semifinal round action of the ECC Tournament this Wednesday (Nov. 2).
Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.
Follow the Daemen University women's soccer program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @DaemenWSOC.
