Women's Soccer Heads to Happy Valley for NCAA Tournament
The Central Connecticut State women’s soccer team begins the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday, traveling to Happy Valley to take on Penn State. Game time on Jeffrey Field is set for 6:00 PM.
Game is set for 6:00 PM
Game Notes | Watch ESPN+ | Livestats | Jeffrey Field
2023 marked the 13th time the Blue Devils have reached the NCAA Tournament, the ninth time under head coach Mick D'Arcy. CCSU has 25 NEC Tournament appearances, including nine straight appearances from 2002-2010. The Blue Devils have won 13 NEC Championships: 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020-21, 2021, 2023. Eleven under Mick D'Arcy ('02, '03, '04, '05, '08, '14, '18, '19, 20'-21', 21', 23').
The Blue Devils entered the 2023 NEC tournament as the #2 seed for the first time in five years. Central held a record of 9-4-4 overall and a dominant 7-0-3 record against NEC opponents. They achieved back-to-back undefeated regular seasons, a feat they haven't accomplished since '96-'97. CCSU sealed their #2 seed by defeating Wagner 2-1 in the final match of the regular season. This marked the 25th NEC tournament appearance in program history for Central, and they look to claim their 13th championship title.
Giavanna Inzerillo leads the team with 36 points. She's posted 15 goals and six assists in 19 games. The senior has a .268 shooting percentage with three game-winners on the season. Inzerillo was named the 2nd Offensive Player of The Year in program history and 1st Team All-NEC for the 2023 season. Inzerillo paced the NEC in goals and points and ranked in the top 10 in four different offensive categories. The senior forward is currently seventh in the nation in points per game (1.89), seventh in points (36), and ranks sixth in both goals (15) and goals per game (0.79). Inzerillo also finished the regular season tied for second in the league with six assists.
Aoife Horgan was second on the team in scoring with 21 points (8g, 5a). Horgan's contributions have been crucial to the Blue Devils' success, as she ranks third in the NEC in points (21), points per game (1.31), goals (eight), and goals per game (0.50). She's even scored three game-winning goals. Horgan's outstanding performance landed CCSU's 6th straight Midfielder of the Year award. She also earned a spot on the All-NEC first team, marking her second All-NEC honor in her career.
Charlotte Simmons got the first team All-conference nod as well as Kiley Yepes earning second team. Abbie Burgess, Nicole Santos, Melina Ford, and Victoria Violette represented the 2023 NEC All-Tournament team. Melina Ford's saves to seal the Central victory earned her the tournament MVP.
There will be a fee for spectator parking for Friday's NCAA Game. Fans can pre-purchase parking for the discounted price of $5.50, but prepayment is required by 11:59 pm on Thursday night. Fans wishing to pre-purchase parking should visit THIS PARKING LINK, select the NCAA women's soccer game and Stadium West parking. Enter the license plate information. Day-of-game parking will be $10.00. Please note that Penn State is hosting a women's basketball game at 5:00 pm and a men's basketball game at 7:30 pm on Friday, in addition to the soccer game. For more Penn State parking information visit their website.