Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. - Senior MacKenzie Cochrane (Mission Viejo, Calif. / Fresno State University) free-kick goal in the 68th minute helped the Mercy College women's soccer team capture the 2014 East Coast Conference Championship, with a 1-0 defeat of the defending champions in the University of Bridgeport, 1-0.
The Mavericks improved to 16-2-1 overall and now wait for the Monday evening NCAA selection show to see where they are traveling for their first round matchup, while the Purple Knights fall to 13-4-2 and leave their fate in the hands of the NCAA selection committee.
Bridgeport proved to be the more aggressive team early, as Danielle Puddefoot took a shot that sailed just high of the crossbar.
Junior Dawn Hickey (Bohemia, N.Y. / Connetquot) had the best opening of the half. Hickey played a long through ball and went one-on-one with Bridgeport goalkeeper Kaitlin Occhipinti. Occhipinti charged Hickey as she ripped a shot towards the goal that eventually was stopped by the net minder.
Junior Nicole Augustine (Kingston, N.Y. / Kingston) was working hard in the first half stopping three Bridgeport shots that were on frame to keep the game scoreless at the break.
In the second half, the Mavericks and Purple Knights traded possession of the ball in the first 20 minutes of the latter 45.
In the 68th minute, a foul against the Purple Knights earned Mercy a free-kick opportunity from the top of the 18 yard box.
Cochrane lined up like she was going to take the shot, and stepped over the ball so that junior Jessica DeLeon (Phoenix, Ariz. / Paradise Valley CC) could fire a shot towards the goal. Puddefoot was stationed near Cochrane and DeLeon as they attempted the shot. Puddefoot slid in to impede the progress of DeLeon, which earned a yellow card and another free kick attempt for Mercy.
On the second attempt, DeLeon faked and Cochrane ripped a shot over the wall and Occhipinti head for the 1-0 lead. Cochrane earned some revenge with the score, as she missed a game-tying penalty kick in the first half of the 2013 East Coast Championship title game.
Bridgeport started to turn up the gas in an attempt to even the game. Amanda Moura's shot taken in the 82nd minute pulled just wide of the net. The Purple Knights last ditch effort, came with under a minute to play as Lauren Mengel's shot was drove on by Augustine preserving the win and giving Mercy the championship.
For Mercy, Augustine made five saves in 90 minutes of work and Cochrane earned the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.
Head Coach Jonathan Feinstein and the Mavericks will wait for the results of the Monday's NCAA women's Soccer Division II selection to see where they are traveling for their first round match-up.
Provided by the Mercy Sports Information Department.
