SIROIS TALLY LIFTS PRIDE INTO NECC FINALS

WESTON, Mass. – Senior Michelle Sirois (Easton, Mass.) scored in the 71st minute for Regis College, and the Pride held on to claim a 1-0 victory over Elms College in the New England Collegiate Conference women's soccer Semifinals. With the win, the Pride, who improve to 11-2-3 on the year, will move on to the NECC Finals for the first time in program history.

The first half saw both teams with excellent opportunities, but each goalkeeper was able to make key saves to keep the game scoreless. In the 26th minute, Melissa Yowell (Ashland, Mass.) had a great strike that looked as if it might head into the back of the net. The shot forced Rachel Gagnon (Ashford, Conn.) to dive to her left, and the freshman goalkeeper was able to get a hold on the ball.

With just over ten minutes to play in the half, a through ball made its way to Adena Joseph (Stoughton, Mass.), who found herself in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Alexa Rinaudo (Bellmore, N.Y.). Rinaudo came out of her net aggressively and was able to smother Joseph's shot to keep the game knotted at 0-0.

Regis finally broke through at the 70:50 mark. After a ball was played into the box, sophomore Kristen Abreu (Woburn, Mass.) flicked the ball with her head to a streaking Sirois. Sirois received the pass and placed a low shot that found its way past Rinaudo to put the Crimson & Gold ahead.

Devinne Aquadro (Sturbridge, Mass.) nearly added to the lead minutes later, but her header ticked off the post and the Elms' defense was able to clear the rebound.

The Blazers, who conclude their season at 8-10-2, turned up the pressure as they attempted to get the equalizer. With less than two minutes to play, Yowell took another dangerous shot in the box, but once again Gagnon came up big. The freshman stopped the shot from point-blank range. On the ensuing corner kick, Gagnon came off her line and collected the ball in the air, blocking the cross attempt.

Regis will travel to play Lesley University for the NECC Finals on Sunday, November 4th at 1:00 p.m. at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School. Lesley, the NECC Tournament #1 seed, defeated Becker College by a score of 3-0 in the other NECC Semifinal on Friday night.