EAST STROUDSBURG – The 23
rd-ranked East Stroudsburg University women's soccer team posted a 2-0 victory over Shepherd in the regular season finale on Saturday at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
ESU (13-5, 12-4 PSAC East) enters the PSAC Tournament as the No. 3 seed and will travel to No. 2 seed Millersville for a matchup on Tuesday, November 12. The appearance in the conference playoffs will be the sixth straight for the Warriors.
Prior to Saturday's game, ESU honored
Danielle Cary,
Syd Hicks,
Abby Marchese,
Hannah Saggese,
Jules Sicker,
Amy Strauser,
Monica Wood and
Jessica Woodbyrne with a ceremony as part of Senior Day, recognizing their contributions made to both the women's soccer program and the University throughout their time at ESU.
The Warriors outshot Shepherd by a 23-6 margin in the match, including a 10-2 advantage in shots on target. ESU also held a 9-0 advantage on corner kicks.
ESU opened the scoring in the ninth minute of play on Strauser's third goal of the season. The senior corralled the ball just outside the box and sent a lefty shot over goalie Lulu Fricks to give the Warriors the early 1-0 advantage.
After being held scoreless for the remainder of the opening half, the Warriors picked up the offensive pressure in the second, firing off 15 shots in the final frame.
The pressure paid off as ESU doubled up on its lead in the 63
rd minute. Woodbyrne carried the ball down the far right side and sent a thru ball to a streaking Wood, who went in on goal. Wood beat Fricks with a low shot for her sixth goal of the season, good for second-most on the team.
The ESU defense continued to shut down the Rams for the remainder of the half to close out the 2-0 win. Goalie
Mauri Jackson needed to make just two saves in net for the Warriors to collect the win. Jackson now has 13 victories and eight shutouts on the year.
The Warriors' matchup against Millersville in the PSAC Tournament on Tuesday will be the third meeting between the teams this season. The Marauders posted a 1-0 win at ESU on October 9, and a 2-1 double-overtime victory on their home field this past Wednesday.
