Blue Devils Clinch #1 Seed in Next Week's Northeast Conference Women's Soccer Tournament

Junior Beth Lloyd scored twice as the Central Connecticut State University women's soccer team beat St. Francis (PA) 5-1 on Friday afternoon in New Britain. The win moves the Blue Devils to 8-0-1 in Northeast Conference play this season and clinches the #1 seed in next week's NEC tournament, which will be played in New Britain on the CCSU Soccer Field. The Blue Devils claim the 2009 NEC regular season title with the victory. CCSU is 10-6-2 overall on the year.

Lloyd scored the first goal of the match at 8:36 after a turnover by the Red Flash keeper in the CCSU end of the field. She beat keeper Jessica Boyer to the top right of the goal for the 1-0 lead.

The Red Flash answered quickly when Brianna Butcher scored off an assist from Rachel Seibert at 11:37. She shot from a tough angle from the left side of the box and the ball bounced off the right post and into the net.

Central answered with four straight goals to end the game and come away with the 5-1 win. Two of those goal came before halftime as CCSU led 3-1 at the break.

Sophomore Brittany Jackson scored her fifth goal of the season off assists from Clio Tregear and Brittany Emin at 24:12. She beat the keeper high for the 2-1 lead. Tregear made it 3-1 at 31:31 when she scored on a header off a corner kick from senior Leah Blayney.

In the second half Blayney got on the board with an assist from Lloyd at 57:43. Lloyd fed the ball through the defense and Blayney beat the keeper one-on-one for the score. Lloyd finished off the scoring at 72:22 off an assist from Erica Celini.

The Blue Devils outshot the Red Flash 26-4 on the day including 16 shots on goal to just three for the visitors. A pair of Central goalkeepers combined for the win. Senior Caity Casey made a pair of saves in the first half. Junior Hillary Singer played the final 28 minutes in net and did not make a save.

CCSU will finish the regular season on Sunday at 1 p.m. as they host Robert Morris on Senior Day. The five seniors will be recognized prior to the match.

The Blue Devils will host the 2009 NEC Tournament on campus beginning with the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 6. CCSU will be the top seed in the tournament. Times and pairings will be announced when they become available.