NCAA Tournament Bracket
SCHENECTADY, NY - No. 21 Union women's soccer (15-3-0, 6-2-0 Liberty League) earned an at-large bid in the 2012 NCAA Division III Tournament and will take on Brandeis (13-4-3, 2-3-2 UAA), an at-large selection out of the University Athletic Association. The Dutchwomen and Judges will square off on Saturday, Nov. 10 at 1:30 p.m. at Hitchcock Field on the campus of Amherst College, the host institution. Union and Brandeis have never played in women's soccer.
The Dutchwomen, who are led by head coach Brian Speck (18th season), are making their 10th NCAA tournament appearance in the last 14 seasons, but first since 2008. At 15-3, Union has had its best season since that 2008 campaign, when the Dutchwomen finished 14-4-1 but fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 1-0, to Springfield College.
» Jennifer Mansfield and Brian Speck earn Liberty League awards; eight others honored
Senior forward Jennifer Mansfield earned Liberty League Player of the Year honors and head coach Brian Speck and his staff earned Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year, the league announced on Thursday. Eight different women's soccer student-athletes earned spots on the Liberty League All-Star Team. Under Speck's guidance, Union has notched its 16th straight double-digit win campaign, and its most wins since the 2008 season. At 14-2-0 (6-2-0 Liberty League) Union clinched its first Liberty League berth since 2009. The Dutchwomen have one of the toughest defensive units in the league, allowing just 9 goals in 16 games this season, with nine shutouts. Union has been ranked as high as No. 13 in the nation.
Jen Mansfield (first team), sophomore midfielder Whitney Bickford (first team), sophomore forward Mollie Gilchrist (first team), junior midfielder Caroline Gorka (first team), senior goaltender Kayla Marti (second team), junior defender Kelsey Fish (honorable mention), senior midfielder Michaela Katz (honorable mention), junior midfielder Melissa Mansfield (honorable mention) were among the Dutchwomen honored.
» Mansfield Among The League's Best Strikers
Senior forward Jennifer Mansfield, the Liberty League Player of the Year, is in the midst of a stellar season up front for the Dutchwomen. Mansfield, who leads the team with 30 points (13 goals, four assists), also is atop the Liberty League in goal-scoring and game-winning goals (6). With 13 goals on the year, Mansfield has a new career best for goals scored in a season.
» A Stingy Defense For the Dutchwomen in 2012
Under head coach Brian Speck, Union has consistantly been one of the toughest defensive teams in the Liberty League and 2012 is no different. The Dutchwomen entered the week second in the Liberty League in goals against average (0.66), and now have 10 shutouts, while allowing just 12 goals on the season.
Union is No. 49 in the nation in scoring defense and No. 38 in the country in shutout percentage (.556). In fact, Union has allowed one goal or fewer in all but one contest this season.
» The Union-Brandeis Series
Today's game will mark the first meeting between Union and Brandeis in women's soccer. Union has only played two of the eight teams in the University Athletic Association (NYU, Rochester), and has a combined record of 12-6-4 against those two teams. Union has not played a game in the state of Massachusetts since a 3-0 win over Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Ma.
» Marti In the Midst of Stellar Season in Net
Senior goalkeeper Kayla Marti, in her first season as the full-time starter, has been outstanding in net for Union. Marti is 15-3 with a 0.634 goals-against average and a Liberty League leading .874 save percentage. She has recorded eight shutouts on the season.
» Speck Leads Union To Another Double-Digit Win Campaign
Union head coach Brian Speck, in his 18th season with the program, has led the Dutchwomen to 16 straight double-digit win campaigns, including the 2012 season. At 15-3, Union has had its best season since the 2008 campaign, when the Dutchwomen finished 14-4-1 and last qualified for the NCAA Tournament. With an overall record of 242-62-19, Speck is the school's all-time winningest coach in women's soccer.
