October 29, 2006
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Carole Grills
(413) 585-2703

 Smith Soccer Advances to Semi-Finals of NEWMAC Championship

Northampton, MA:  The Pioneers advanced to the semi-finals of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Women’s Soccer Championship today with their 1-0 defeat of Wellesley College.

            After a rain postponement from yesterday, the Blue of Wellesley and the Smith Pioneers took to the field on a cold and very windy afternoon with the teams playing to a 0-0 deadlock at halftime. The first half was evenly played with Wellesley taking five shots and Smith three.  The second half play was impacted even more by the wind with the players trying to keep the ball low. At the 77:54 mark, Smith’s Janine Olthuis (Cavan, Ontario) passed the ball to Sara Dilegge (Mashpee, MA) who crossed it to Danielle Schmandt (Austin, TX) who headed the ball into the net for the game winner. With the win, Smith improves to 10-6-1 overall while Wellesley falls to 9-7-0.  The Pioneers advance to the semifinals of the NEWMAC Women’s Soccer Championship next weekend at Wheaton College and will face number two seed Springfield College.

                                                         1          2          F
Smith (10-6-1)                                     0          1          1
Wellesley (9-7-0)                                 0          0          0

Scoring:  Sm – 77:54 Danielle Schmandt (Sara Dilegge, Janine Olthuis)

Keepers:  Sm – Lauren Bachtel (90 minutes), 0 GA, 5 saves
W – Katie Martore (90 minutes), 1 GA, 2 saves

SOG – Sm -5; W-8
Corners – Sm – 3, W - 3