Scranton, Marywood ride defense into NCAA matchup – Scranton Times-Tribune

Local bragging rights are usually the only thing at stake when the women’s soccer teams from Marywood University and the University of Scranton meet.

This time, however, the stakes are much higher.

The Pacers and Royals meet Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament at Weiss Field at 1 p.m. Wesleyan University and SUNY-Brockport follow in the other first-round game at 3:30 p.m. The winners will play in the second round on Sunday at 3 p.m

Although there is familiarity between Marywood and Scranton, the other is not overlooked.

“We play them every year in some capacity,” Scranton coach Colleen Pivorotto said. “Definitely a hometown rival and excited to host them. We know them, but even though we know them, Marywood is a conference champion just like us. They’ve been to the NCAA tournament, so you have to take it seriously. Winning an NCAA game is a big deal. We take it seriously, just like any other opponent. Watch as much film as possible and make sure the team is prepared.”

Scranton has more NCAA experience; This is the Royals’ fifth straight appearance, while Marywood makes only his fourth appearance overall. But Pacers second-year coach Richard Owens has been to the tournament. He was a goaltender on Kean College’s 1992 national championship team and coached West Virginia Wesleyan College to the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA Division II tournament in 2018.

“We are not afraid of anyone. We respect them 100 percent because they are good,” Owens said. “I’ve been to the NCAAs before. I tell the girls there is no difference. The rules haven’t changed, the ball is still round, the field is still rectangular in shape. Ultimately, we have to do our job from start to finish until the final whistle.”

The defense has gotten both teams to this point.

Marywood has allowed just four goals in twenty games and has a school record of 941 minutes and 39 seconds without a goal. It has not allowed a goal since the start of the second half of the 1-0 loss to Eastern University on September 28 and has recorded ten consecutive shutouts (9-0-1). The Pacers rank second in Division III in team goals-against average at 0.20 and third in save percentage at .923. Graduate student Britlyn Higgins, a transfer from Mansfield University, was named Atlantic East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, while freshman goalkeeper Jenna Orr leads Division III in goals-against average (0.10) and save percentage (0.957).

Orr is part of a goaltending tandem that includes fellow freshman Genevieve Morrison, which has a 0.31 goals-against average. The two have a split half in each game.

Rounding out the defense are junior Carly Walters and freshmen Mia Menzzasalma and Faith Meals.

“It’s been a combination of recruiting and bringing in youth,” Owens said. “In addition, we retain the ball much better than in the past. We have controlled passing at the back, trying to break teams up. It might not be the first five or ten minutes, but after 40, 50, 60 minutes we start to break up teams. That was a big difference, instead of just turning the ball over.”

Meanwhile, Scranton has conceded just six goals in 20 games. The Royals rank eighth in Division III in team goals against average of 0.30. Senior goalkeeper Nicole Olson is 10th in Division III in goals-against average (0.31) and tied for second in shutouts (12).

“We are very organised, athletic and very disciplined in terms of our form,” Pivirotto said. “We get a lot of pressure on the ball and I think our team’s defense is very strong. We have our back line, but we defend and work very hard as a unit. All eleven players defend and that is a commitment that everyone makes. That puts teams under a lot of pressure before they even get to our back line and takes the pressure off our back four and our goalkeeper.

“Nicole is a three-year starter and has just been great for us. She doesn’t see many photos, which is great. But when she does, she makes some big saves.

Offensively, the Royals are led by graduate student and three-time Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Year Niamh Healy, who has 14 goals and four assists for 32 points. Eight of her goals were game-winners, which ranks eighth in Division III. Fellow students Mary Haggerty and Claire Mulholland each contributed five goals and four assists for 14 points.

Josephine Sorce, a graduate student and two-time Atlantic East Offensive Player of the Year, leads Marywood with 15 goals and 14 assists for 44 points. Senior and Abington Heights graduate Riley Mulherin follows with 13 goals and seven assists for 33 points.

“Riley has an opportunity to change the game,” Owens said. “She can easily hit the ball at Division I pace and just hit some bombs from anywhere on the court, 30 yards away, 35 yards away. She likes to come in from outside. She can score with both her foot and her head and she is also very dangerous with corner kicks.”

Owens said the Pacers need to stay calm to be successful.

“If we are calm and don’t panic, everything will be fine because we have the talent to compete with them,” Owens said. “Obviously, Scranton has the history and pedigree behind it. But our program is growing in a short time. We want to compete with those teams and this is our opportunity to show and do that as a program. As long as we are ready, take the opportunity and run with it, we definitely have a chance.”

NCAA DIVISION III WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

Marywood Pacers (15-3-2) at University of Scranton Royals (17-1-2)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m

Where: Weiss Field, Scranton

Coaches: Richard Owens is in his second season at Marywood and is 24-10-4. He previously coached five seasons at West Virginia Wesleyan and has a seven-year career record of 67-40-16. Colleen Pivirotto is in her 17th season at Scranton and has a career record of 223-64-38.

How they got here: Marywood earned an automatic bid by winning the Atlantic East Conference title. Scranton earned an automatic bid by winning the Landmark Conference championship.

Players to watch: Marywood – Graduate MID Josephine Sorce (15 goals-14 assists-44 points), senior F Riley Mulherin (13-7-33), freshman MID-F Maura Kirkpatrick (9-7-25) , freshman GK Genevieve Morrison (10-2-1, 0.31 GAA, 23 saves), freshman GK Jenna Orr (5-1-1, 0.10 GAA, 23 saves); Scranton — Graduate F Niamh Healy (14-4-32, 8 GWG), graduate MID Mary Haggerty (5-4-14), graduate MID-F Claire Mulholland (5-4-14), senior GK Nicole Olson (17- 1-2, 0.31 GAA, 41 saves, 12 shutouts)

The buzz: Marywood makes its fourth NCAA appearance (0-2-1). … The Pacers’ 15 wins tie a school record (2010) and they set a program record with 16 shutouts this season. … Marywood has scored 60 goals, allowed just four goals and has a school-record 941 minutes, 39 seconds without a goal, breaking the previous mark of 610:39 set in 2021. … Sorce is a two-time Atlantic East Offensive Player of the Year. Joining her on the conference all-star first team are graduate student Britlyn Higgins, the Defensive Player of the Year, Kirkpatrick, Orr, junior D Carly Walters and junior MID Caroline Walters. Freshman D Faith Meals is a second-team selection. … Orr leads Division III in goals-against average (0.10) and save percentage (.957). … Scranton makes its fifth consecutive and 22nd overall NCAA appearance (12-17-7). … The Royals have won 10 in a row since suffering their only loss, 1-0, to NYU on Oct. 1. … Scranton has scored 51 goals and given up just six. … Healy won her third consecutive Landmark Conference Offensive Player of the Year. … Freshman Aileen Carr was named Landmark Rookie of the Year and first-team defenseman. … Haggerty, Mulholland and Olson were also first-team picks, while senior F Emily Bannon and graduate D Emily Tantala were second-team picks. … Scranton leads the all-time series, 10-0, and outpaces Marywood, 45-4. The teams last met on September 6, 2023, a 4-1 win by the Royals.

Next: The winner will advance to the second round Sunday at 3 p.m. at Weiss Field against Connecticut Wesleyan University (13-1-3) and SUNY-Brockport (15-1-2).

– SCOTT WALSH