Second Half Rally Sends Undefeated WSOC to R21 Finals

Warriors host Region 21 Championship on Monday at 2 PM

FALL RIVER, Mass. ---- The top-seeded and undefeated Massasoit women's soccer team used second half goals by Kiana Fernandes (Taunton) and Emily Blake (Whitman) to defeat Springfield Tech in the Region 21 Semifinals at Durfee High School on Sunday.

With the victory, Massasoit (10-0-0) will host the winner of Bristol/Holyoke at Warrior Field on Monday in the Region 21 Championship at 2 PM. Monday's winner earns an automatic bid to the NJCAA National Tournament, hosted by Genesee Community College in Batavia, New York from Nov. 11-14.

In the first stanza of action, scoring chances were tough to come by. Massasoit held a slight edge in shots, 8-3 as both keepers kept the game scoreless heading to halftime.

Massasoit's best offensive opportunity came in the 27^th minute of action off the foot of Emily Blake, but STCC goalie Makenna Kelly made an outstretched save to keep the Warriors off the scoreboard.

In the 60^th minute, a collision inside the penalty box allowed for Massasoit to attempt its second PK of second stanza, after missing one five minutes after intermission.  

On this PK attempt, Fernandes buried the shot to put the Warriors up 1-0.

Less than 10 minutes later in the 68^th minute, Blake took a through ball pass from Sarah Campbell (Abington) to add a much needed insurance goal for the Warriors.

In net, the Warriors received another impressive game from keeper Ailish Olmstead (Brockton). The freshman and reigning NJCAA National Goalie of the Week, made three saves for her eighth shutout of the year.

In Monday's Region 21 Championship, Massasoit will be in search of its first Region 21 Women's Soccer Championship since 1999 and first trip to the NJCAA Nationals since 1989.