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SCRANTON — You could sense it coming.
In the opening 20 minutes of the second half, the University of Scranton applied constant pressure in the Wesleyan University end of the field, looking for the game’s first goal.
Finally, the Royals broke through.
Morgan Griffin scored to give her team the lead and Scranton went on to a 2-0 victory in the second round of the NCAA Division III women’s soccer tournament Sunday at Weiss Field.
Niamh Healy added an insurance goal late in the second half for the Royals (19-1-2), who won their 12th straight and advance to next weekend’s Sweet 16 against Trinity, Texas, which advanced by beating Pomona-Pitzer, California, 1-1 (3-2 penalty kicks). Site and times for the game will be announced Monday. Washington & Lee University and William Smith College are also part of the bracket.
“Obviously, it’s exciting to get to the Sweet 16,” Scranton coach Colleen Pivirotto said. “We played amazing tonight. We knew it was going to be a tough test and that we really had to step up our game. But the girls were unbelievable and worked great. Our defense was great, shut them down and limited their chances. Second half especially, we turned it up a notch. You could just see the goal was coming. We were really pushing for it.”
Scranton had numerous chances before Griffin’s goal. The best were a pair of shots by Healy, one that sailed over the crossbar and another that went wide.
“It definitely was difficult. It took some adjusting,” Wesleyan senior defender Caty Clements said. “Just bodying up, they’re strong and athletic. But I’m proud of us. We matched it as best we could.”
Then, Samantha Goffice picked up a loose ball just outside the box. She made a nifty move around a defender and centered the ball to Griffin, who slid to get a foot on it and send it past the diving attempt of Wesleyan goalkeeper Molly Brumbach and into the bottom right corner of the net to make it 1-0 at 64:18.
“We were all over them. They couldn’t get into our half, we were in their half the entire time,” Griffin said. “Our forward line was just beating their back line. When Sam turned and slotted that ball, I knew no matter what I had to get there. Didn’t matter what body part I got on it. I just slid and got my toe on it. When it went in, it was the biggest relief because we were working for it more than anything.”
From there, Scranton’s defense protected the advantage, although Wesleyan (14-2-3) applied pressure for about a 10-minute stretch, looking for the equalizer. The Connecticut school’s best chance came in the 79th minute when Meredith Feiner sent a cross to Riley Buehler, whose shot went just wide of the left post.
“It was pretty close, definitely a dangerous opportunity for them,” said Olson, who finished with three saves. “Glad it didn’t go in, that’s all I can say.
“It definitely was stressful because they wanted that goal to tie. But we stayed calm and defended as a team, which is one of our biggest strengths. It’s not just the back line even though our back line is insane and works incredibly hard. It starts from our nine all the way to the top. We drop and defend as a team. That’s why I feel so confident in our capabilities. I didn’t really have to do much today, which I was grateful for.”
In the 81st minute, Scranton was called for a hand ball, giving Wesleyan a free kick. The Royals cleared the ball and quickly counterattacked, which led to Healy’s goal. Claire Mulholland passed to Healy near the left post from about 10 yards out and Healy chipped her shot barely over the reach of the 6-foot Brumbach and just inside the right post at 82:32 to make it 2-0.
Cardinals coach Eva Meredith said Scranton’s direct style of play, athleticism and speed gave her team problems and was the difference in the game.
“The thing I appreciate about them is they run through absolutely everything,” Meredith said. “They come at you and if you’re not quick enough in your possession or your decision-making, they’ll strip you of the ball. And then there’s only one way for them and that’s forward. They do it really, really well.”
During a scoreless first half, Scranton outshot Wesleyan, 5-1, and had a 2-0 edge in corner kicks. But Cardinals goalkeeper Molly Brumbach made four saves. Three of the stops came off shots by Healy, while the fourth came against Mary Haggerty.
Wesleyan’s best opportunity in the first half came in the 14th minute when Stefanie Stoj redirected a centering cross, but Olson easily caught it for her lone save of the half.
This is the third time in four years Scranton has reached the Sweet 16.
“Coming into the preseason, we set goals for ourselves to go farther than this point,” Griffin said. “Coming into today’s game, we knew we weren’t done yet. We know if we keep pushing, work hard and play to our best ability, we’re just going to keep on going.”
Second: Griffin (SCR) from Goffice, 64:18. Healy (SCR) from Mulholland, 82:32; Shots-corner kicks: WES 7-1, SCR 16-2; Saves: Brumbach (WES) 4, Vemmer (WES) 0, Olson (SCR) 3; Records: WES 14-2-3, SCR 19-1-2
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