Edinboro University Athletics

KUTZTOWN, Pa. (November 11, 2016) -- Two quick Charleston (W.V.) goals caused the sixth-seeded Edinboro University women's soccer team to play behind early in round one of the NCAA Atlantic Region Tournament Friday at Kutztown University. Senior forward Alex Brown scored in the second half to cut the deficit to one, but despite outshooting the third-seeded Golden Eagles, 26-7, Charleston (W.V.) held on to hand Edinboro a 3-1 defeat. The Fighting Scots ended their season with a 13-5-1 overall record. The Golden Eagles improved to 15-3-3 and will play the second-seeded Golden Bears in the regional semifinals on Sunday, November 13 at 1:00 p.m.
 
Head coach Gary Kagiavas' team finished up one of the best seasons in school history. Despite a short roster and injuries to several key players, the Fighting Scots posted their best record since 2012, and earned the number-three seed for the PSAC Tournament. They made their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six years and received their highest-ever national ranking by the NSCAA at number 11 earlier this year. Their previous highest ranking was a number 12 selection in 2012.
 
The quartet of goals Friday was a vast departure from Edinboro and Charleston (W.V.)'s first-round regional matchup a year ago, where the Fighting Scots ultimately won in penalty kicks, 3-1, after playing the Golden Eagles to a 0-0 tie amidst harsh weather conditions at Gannon University. The weather at game time at Keystone Field was partly cloudy and 58 degrees, which quickly dissolved any concerns from both sides.
 
Charleston (W.V.) took swift action by netting a pair of goals to take a 2-0 lead just 6:54 into the contest. Ivey Nucelli got the Golden Eagles on the board at 2:09 off an assist from Marieke Kramer, who crossed the ball in from the left side and allowed Nucelli to fire to the upper left corner. Adele Siegel added to their lead when she headed in a free kick from Kelci Winters after an Edinboro foul. Edinboro outshot the Golden Eagles in the first half, 13-5, but goalie Zoe Zyta and the Charleston (W.V.) defense, who had allowed just nine goals all season with 12 shutouts wins, posted seven saves to hold their lead at halftime.
 
The Fighting Scots kept the heat on in the second half, firing away the first four shots of the second half before Brown headed in a cross from junior midfielder Ashley Mutkus at 52:16 to bring Edinboro to within one goal at 2-1. Mutkus had a shot blocked away by Zyta before gathering her own rebound and feeding Brown the score. Edinboro continued their onslaught of shots to try and tie the match, but the Golden Eagles stood tall to preserve their lead. Charleston (W.V.) all but put the match away when Nucelli scored her second goal of the day at 78:59, assisted by Lyndsey Thompson, to give the Golden Eagles a 3-1 lead. It proved to be the final score of the day.
 
Junior goalkeeper Sarah Baskey finished with three saves as she concluded the year at 13-5-1, tying her school season wins record from a year ago. She is second all-time with 26 career wins and fourth with 12 career shutouts, including seven from this season. Zyta finished with ten saves to improve to 14-3-2 on the season. Charleston (W.V.) also collected a pair of team saves to finish with 12 total saves, compared to Edinboro's three.
 
Brown finished her career at Edinboro ranked eighth all-time with 28 career goals and ninth with 69 career points. Her and Mutkus finished tied for the team lead in scoring at 24 points and in goals with ten apiece. Both are career highs. Mutkus is tenth all-time with 56 career points.