MEC Championship Game Preview: #1N Frostburg State vs #1S Charleston (WV)
FROSTBURG, Md. – The Frostburg State Women's Soccer team is set to travel to Charleston (WV) for the 2023 Mountain East Conference Championship Game on Sunday afternoon.
How They Got Here: The Bobcats come into the game as the North Division one seed, having clinched their fourth straight division title. FSU is riding a 12-game unbeaten streak and sports a record of 17-1-2, including an 11-1-2 MEC record, which is the second-best mark in the conference. They defeated Glenville State 1-0 at home in the quarterfinal round, then took down Concord 3-0 in Bobcat Stadium to reach their third-straight championship game appearance.
UC, the fifth-ranked team in the country, currently sports a record of 17-0-3, including a 13-0-2 record in conference. The Golden Eagles secured their spot in the championship with a 3-1 victory over Fairmont State followed up by a 1-0 decision in overtime against West Virginia State.
The Matchup: The all-time series between the two teams is tied at three wins apiece, with Charleston taking this year's match-up 1-0 in Frostburg, snapping a three-game losing streak to the Bobcats.
The Players: FSU is led offensively by senior Toni Fiocco-Mizer, a First Team All-MEC selection with eight goals and five assists. She is supported in attack by junior Madi Allen (eight goals, one assist) and sophomore Morgan Mrizek (one goal, seven assists). The midfield provides added goals from sophomore Carly Gillette (six goals, two assists), senior Lela Clark (four goals, two assists), and junior Keely Knotts (three goals), with senior Second Team All-MEC member Hannah Thompson (one goal, three assists) providing a shield in front of the back four. Defensively, FSU has four All-MEC honorees in junior center backs Cat Smith (seven goals, two assists) and Mei Homman (four assists), wide back Carolyn DeSena (two assists), and senior goalkeeper Ashley Bilger.
Charleston boasts every major conference award winner across their ranks, with the headliner being Offensive Player of the Year Lina Jaime (10 goals, 10 assists). She is joined in a powerful attack by Freshman of the Year Juliette Lucas (10 goals, seven assists), Sophia Mankowski (10 goals, four assists), and Frankie Morow (seven goals, six assists). The midfield boasts a pair of All-MEC players in First Team selection Carina Widauer (six goals, seven assists) and Honorable Mention Michelle Wenger (two goals, one assist). In defense, the Golden Eagles boast the Defensive Player of the Year in Angela Gatto (four goals), alongside First Team member Hannah Goes (two goals, two assists) and Honorable Mention Anna Van Der Reijden (one goal, one assist) with Jordan Maynard in goal as a Second Team All-MEC player.
Sunday, NOV. 5 - QUARTERFINALS
#4S Glenville at #1N Frostburg State – FSU wins 1-0
#4N Fairmont State at #1S Charleston – UC wins 3-1
#3S West Virginia State at #2N Notre Dame – WVSU wins 2-1
#3N West Liberty at #2S Concord – CU wins 2-1
Wednesday, NOV. 8 - SEMIFINALS
#2S Concord at #1N Frostburg State – FSU wins 3-0
#3S West Virginia State at #1S Charleston – UC wins 1-0
SUNDAY, NOV. 12 - CHAMPIONSHIP
#1N Frostburg State at #1S Charleston - 1 p.m.*
Latest Women's Soccer Stories
- Women's Soccer Receives Team Ethics & Sportsmanship Award for 17th Consecutive YearThe United Soccer Coaches announced 64 total recipients for the 2024 Team Ethics and Sportsmanship award, of which Frostburg State achieved the bronze level.
- Smith Named United Soccer Coaches Second Team Scholar All-AmericanUnited Soccer Coaches announced the association's 2024 Women's Scholar All-America Teams for all levels of college soccer, with Frostburg State senior Cat Smith earning Division II Second Team Scholar All-American honors.
- Smith Named College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-AmericanCollege Sports Communicators (CSC) announced on Wednesday the 2024 Academic All-America® Women's Soccer teams for NCAA Division I-II-III and NAIA, with Frostburg State Women's Soccer senior Cat Smith being named a Division II First Team Academic All-American.
- Smith, Sterne, Gillette Receive United Soccer Coaches All-Region HonorsThe United Soccer Coaches announced their All-Region Teams on Tuesday afternoon, with Frostburg State Women Soccer seniors Cat Smith and Katie Sterne, alongside junior Carly Gillette receiving the honors.
- Smith Named D2CCA Second Team All-AmericanThe Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) announced their Women's Soccer All-America Teams on Tuesday, with Frostburg State Women's Soccer senior Cat Smith being named a Second Team All-American.
- Smith, Gillette Take D2CCA All-Region HonorsThe Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) announced their Women's Soccer All-Atlantic Region Teams on Tuesday afternoon, with Frostburg State senior Cat Smith earning a spot on the All-Region First Team, and junior Carly Gillette receiving a spot on the All-Region Second Team.