Wheaton Soccer Advances To Sweet 16

Wheaton College women's soccer senior forward Cassey Muse (Candia, N.H./Central) propelled the Lyons, ranked 25th overall in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) national poll, into the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Division III Tournament with her fourth game-winning goal this season in a 1-0 triumph over no.9 ranked Williams College on Sunday afternoon at Mirrione Stadium. 

Wheaton pushes its record to 18-1-6 overall on the season. The Lyons will take on Carnegie Mellon (13-1-4) in the sectional semifinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament on Saturday, November 17 at a time and place to be determined later. The Lyons will now make their sixth appearance in the Sweet 16 in program history, all under head coach Luis Reis (303-50-24, 16th season). Wheaton reached the sectional semifinals for the first time in 2000 and also made four-straight appearances from 2002 to 2005. Williams concludes its season at 13-4-2 overall. 

In the 27th minute, Muse capitalized on a beautiful through ball by sophomore midfielder/forward Lauren Corigliano (Roselle Park, N.J./Roselle Park) for her tenth marker of the season. Muse corralled Corigliano's pass from the left flank inside the right corner of the box and fired a low shot into the right corner of the net for an early 1-0 advantage. 

Muse almost deposited the insurance goal for Wheaton in the 80th minute but an Ephs defender turned away her shot to keep the deficit at 1-0. 

The Lyons backline held true for the remainder of the contest limiting Williams to three shots (one on goal) and one corner kick for their 14th shutout this fall. Wheaton freshman goalkeeper Taylor Wilson(Bellingham, Mass./Bellingham) stymied a header from Ephs freshman midfielder/forward Abby Morss (Concord, Mass./NEFC)during that span (83:07) and made three saves total to bump her record to 10-0-6 overall on the season.  

Sophomore goalkeeper Hannah Van Wetter (Lakewood, Colo./Colorado Storm Copa) compiled three saves in the loss (9-3-1). 

Williams held a slim, 10-9, advantage in shots and a 2-1 margin in corner kicks. 

Wheaton is now 4-1-1 overall against the Ephs in the all-time series matchup having won the last two meetings between the squads, both occurring this season. Earlier this fall on Sunday, Sept. 9, the Lyons posted a 2-1 victory over Williams on the road.