Information from Thomas Jefferson University Athletics Communications, at www.jeffersonrams.com, was used in this report.

RINDGE, N.H. (December 1, 2024) -- No. 4 seed Thomas Jefferson University was defeated in a penalty kick shootout, 3-1, by No. 2 seed and host Franklin Pierce University in the East Region championship game of the 2024 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship tournament on Sunday afternoon at Sodexho Field. The teams had played to a 1-1 draw. Franklin Pierce is ranked No. 24 in the most recent national D-II coaches' poll.

Jefferson, the 2024 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference champion, was attempting to become the first CACC soccer team to reach the NCAA national quarterfinals. Instead, FPU (18-3-2) advances to face Shepherd University, the No. 1 seed out of the Atlantic Region, on Dec. 7. The Rams complete their season with a won-lost-tied record of 19-1-3 and played in the NCAA round of 16 for the first time in program history.
 

WHAT HAPPENED 

• In the first fifteen minutes both teams only put up one shot a piece, Kyra Lesko missing to the right, and Claudia Peirce's shot being Liv Riddel's first save of the match  

• Lesko again is able to take a strong shot after fighting for possession that Emilie Fox can deflect away from the Ravens goal  

• Mia Ferrara, who has been a key player in the Tournament so far for the Rams, takes a corner shot looking to take an early lead but can't quite find the net 

• After a foul against the Rams Olivia Kudrikow has an opportunity to score. She sends her shot straight to the Rams goal line where the ball is loose for a second, but Riddel makes an incredible save 

• The Ravens took one more shot for the remainder of the first half after Ruby Conroy's bottom left shot was saved once again by Riddel. Ferrara takes a final shot in an attempt to find success like she did against the top seeded Adelphi but misses high leaving both teams tied at 0-0 

• Gianna Derose and Pinja Eklund are first to take shots in the second half, but Riddel continues her solid defense saving both attempts  

• Dillan Sorino is able to intercept the ball from the Ravens, passing it to Alexa Callahan who sets up Lesko for the Rams first goal of the match, leading 1-0 

• The Ravens struggle score as the match comes to a close until a short corner kick play sneaks by the Rams allowing Conroy to score, assisted by Pinja Eklund sending this game to overtime 

• The battle continues as both teams struggle to move the ball offensively, only the Rams putting up one shot from Gianna Garozzo that was out right  

• The Ravens get an opportunity to score but Carly Yeager holds Jeffersons backline with impressive defense while Nikki Dedes and Abby Cargile both takes shots but are unable to find the net leaving the game to penalty kicks  

• Aino Martikainan, a captain for the Ravens, takes her first shot but Riddel read it perfectly for the save. After a call on Riddel, Martikainan gets a chance for another shot that she makes 

• Dedes up first for the Rams makes her shot low in the corner of the goal, but the rams fall short on their other penalty kicks as the Ravens take the victory in the NCAA East Region Final game.