Saint Rose women advance in National Championship Tournament, beat Daemen 4-0
ALBANY, NY » Friday night’s NCAA Championship Tournament matchup between The College of Saint Rose and Daemen College was a cold and windy affair that altered the play on the pitch drastically come game time.
“We really believed in if we could get the opportunity to take the wind, we would try, and thankfully Morgan got that to start the game,” said Saint Rose Head Coach Laurie Darling Gutheil. “We wanted to put them under on every long restart, on every corner, and use that to our advantage and that was really beneficial.”
Saint Rose pulled away with the first round 4-0 win with considerable ease. After taking a 3-0 lead into the halftime, the Golden Knights continued possession and opportunities on the net, never really giving up many chances to the Daemen Wildcats.
“We just understand with the very high gusts of wind how difficult the game can sometimes play and one restart can change it,” said Darling Gutheil. “You can’t let a team get back in the game when the conditions are this difficult. The mentality is to finish the game as strong as you start the game.”
Helping lead the way for Saint Rose was Burnt Hills alumni and now senior captain Morgan Burchhardt, who tallied two assists, both on corners, in the win.
“My high school coach always said get the ball in the mix so that’s what I did,” said Burchhardt. “Getting the ball into the mix, giving us a chance, and luckily we were able to convert two, almost three. Corners are really crucial in the post season so I am really happy to see us finishing those at such a crucial time.”
Daemen was no stranger to Saint Rose coming into Albany Friday night. The two teams met back on October 19 when Saint Rose picked up the 3-1 win.
“It’s postseason now, so it’s a little bit different of a vibe,” said Burchhardt on seeing Daemen again. “We played them on senior day and it was a fun time, but that was a month ago. On paper we should advance, but it could have been anyone’s game today and they put up a good fight, especially for their first appearance in the tournament.” Saint Rose started the offense in the 15th minute when Deanna Trongone was able to score from 40 yards out, utilizing the air to her benefit. Trongone’s kick sailed over the line of Saint Rose and Daemen players right at the top of the box, bounced once, and landed squarely in the back of the net past Daemen goalkeeper Maddie Flores.
“It’s because [Sanna] Rein was coming in and the keeper had to watch Rein coming into the box and for the moment that she took her eyes off the ball, she knew Rein was coming, and she got herself pulled a touch out of position,” said Darling Gutheil on the goal.
Saint Rose scored again just nine minutes later, the first of the goals off a Burchhardt corner. Caitlyn Dabagian was able to corral the bouncing ball and punch it into the back of the net with craziness in front. The last goal of the half came in the 31st minute when Olivia Boucher knocked in her own rebound for a goal.
“She technically has tremendous range and tremendous technical ability to be dangerous on every single restart,” said Darling Gutheil on Burchhardt’s corner kicking ability. “We utilize that to our advantage as much as we possibly can.”
Saint Rose punched their fourth and final in at the 73rd minute of the game, this time Rein heading in a Burchardt corner.
“We worked so hard to get this opportunity,” said Darling Gutheil. “It takes so much to get through our conference and to do the things we have to do to just make the NCAA Tournament, that the girls want to make most of this opportunity.”
Daemen college goalkeeper finished with three saves. Saint Rose keeper, Marika Laurendeau, also finished with three saves.
Saint Rose prepares for Stonehill in the second round of the NCAA Championshop Tournament. Stonehill defeated Jefferson 2-1 for their first ever NCAA Tournament win.
“Stonehill is a great team. They are a great club,” said Darling Gutheil. “They are athletic. They have a great attack. That’s going to be a duel on Sunday.”
Saint Rose and Stonehill face off at the Plumeri Sports Complex at 1 p.m. Sunday.