Both the William Paterson men's and women's soccer teams have earned invitations to the 2010 NCAA Division III Tournaments, set to begin with first-round matches Saturday, Nov. 13.
NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament
The William Paterson men’s soccer team received a bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament for just the second time in program history when the 60-team field was announced Nov. 8. The Pioneers (13-3-3, 6-2-1 NJAC) will face Thomas College of Maine (11-5-2, 5-2 NAC) in the first round Saturday, Nov. 13, at approximately 1:30 p.m. at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vt. The winner will advance to the second round Sunday, Nov. 14, at 1:00 p.m. and square off against the winner of the Middlebury (13-3-1, 6-3 NESCAC) vs. Daniel Webster (12-5-1, 5-2 NECC) first-round match to be played Nov. 13 at 11:00 a.m.
William Paterson was the second seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament, playing to a 1-1 double-overtime tie against Kean in the semifinal round before the Cougars advanced to the final with a 4-1 advantage in the penalty-kick shootout. Kean eventually defeated The College of New Jersey in the championship match, 1-0 in double overtime.
William Paterson’s only other NCAA berth came during the 1979 season, when the Pioneers fell to Rowan, 2-1, in the first round. Senior
Julian Valerio (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan), the Pat Baldiserra NJAC Midfielder of the Year, leads the Pioneers with seven assists and 23 points, and is tied with NJAC Co-Rookie of the Year
Mike Lowe (Wilmington, Del./Alexis I. duPont) for the team high with eight goals. Lowe has added four assists for 20 points, while freshman
Kene Eze (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) ranks third with six goals for 12 points. Junior
Zach Collins (Bayville, N.J./Central Regional) has a 0.83 goals-against average, an .800 save percentage and four shutouts in goal for the Pioneers. Senior first-team all-conference selections
Chris Belan (Howell, N.J./Freehold Twp.), the NJAC Defensive Player of the Year, and
Matthew Heitmann (Westwood, N.J./St. Joseph Regional) help to organize the William Paterson defensive third.
Middlebury College (host) Website
NCAA Division III Tournament Bracket (PDF)
William Paterson Notes (PDF)
Tournament Schedule
First Round; Saturday, Nov. 13; Middlebury, Vt.
Middlebury (14-3-1) 2, vs. Daniel Webster (12-6-1) 1
William Paterson (14-3-3) 2, vs. Thomas College of Maine (11-6-2) 1
Second Round; Sunday, Nov. 14; Middlebury, Vt.
William Paterson (14-3-3) vs. Middlebury (14-3-1), 1:00 p.m. (
Live Video)
NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament
The William Paterson women’s soccer team will make its third trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament in the 17-year history of the program when the Pioneers (11-4-5, 7-1-1 NJAC) face Stevens (16-3-1, 5-3 Empire 8) in the first round Saturday, Nov. 13, at approximately 1:30 p.m. at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. The winner will advance to the second round Sunday, Nov. 14, at 1:00 p.m. and take on the winner of the Dickinson (15-3-1, 9-2 Centennial) vs. Centenary (13-7-2, 8-2 CSAC) first-round match to be played Nov. 13 at 11:00 a.m. The 63-team field for the 2010 NCAA Tournament was announced Nov. 8.
William Paterson was the second seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament, playing to a 0-0 double-overtime tie against Rowan in the semifinal round Nov. 3 before the Pioneers advanced to the final with a 4-2 advantage in the penalty-kick shootout. William Paterson fell to top-seeded and 13th-ranked The College of New Jersey in the championship match, 2-0, on Nov. 6th.
William Paterson’s two previous NCAA berths came during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In 1997, the Pioneers defeated Drew, 4-0, before falling to Amherst, 3-2 in three overtimes, during the regional round. In 1998, William Paterson lost to Connecticut College, 2-1 in double overtime, in the regionals.
A first-team all-NJAC selection, sophomore
Michelle Marabondo (Kenvil, N.J./Roxbury) leads the Pioneers with 13 goals, seven assists and 33 points. Sophomore
Laela Brock (Paramus, N.J./Paramus), a second-team all-conference honoree, and freshman
Sheray Anthony (Cherry Hill, N.J./Cherry Hill West) each have nine points, while 2010 NJAC Defensive Player of the Year
Ali Ruddy (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) has contributed three goals and an assist for seven points.
The NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year, freshman
Alyssa Falduto (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) has a 0.84 goals-against average, a .792 save percentage and nine shutouts in goal for the Pioneers.
Dickinson College (host) Website
NCAA Division III Tournament Bracket (PDF)
William Paterson Notes (PDF)
Tournament Schedule
First Round; Saturday, Nov. 13; Carlisle, Pa.
No. 16 Dickinson (15-3-2) 1, vs. Centenary (13-7-3) 1 (Dickinson advances on PKs, 4-2)
Stevens (17-3-1) 2, William Paterson (11-5-5) 1
Second Round; Sunday, Nov. 14; Carlisle, Pa.
Stevens (17-3-1) vs. No. 16 Dickinson (15-3-2) , 1:00 p.m. (
Live Stats)
