SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The path to the postseason is rarely straightforward, but for the American International College women's soccer team, the fork in the road was simple: win and you are in; lose and you are done.
Behind a 19-save shutout from rookie netminder
Hedda Haukland and three points from team captain
Elena Nunez, the Yellow Jackets followed the victorious path, taking a 2-0 victory over Pace University on Wednesday, October 28.
The win clinches sixth place in the Northeast 10 Conference at 4-5-0, with an 8-7-1 overall mark.
Pace had pressure early, firing shots from everywhere, but it was AIC scoring first as
Romane Bernier found
Elena Nunez at the top of the box. She fired the ball to the left flank, where
Karoline Eriksen was open. The rookie forward drove to the net until she was inside of the six-yard box before tucking the ball past the goalkeeper for her first collegiate goal at 18:08.
From there, the Setters unleashed a veritable barrage, taking attempts from anywhere they could. Haukland remained strong, shutting down nine chances in the first, including her 100th career save.
The second half was more of the same, with the Setters only pushing harder, generating a dozen more bids on target and several dangerous looks that missed high or wide. Haukland firmly kept the door shut, making another 10 saves in the half.
In the final minute, AIC earned a chance to put the game away with a penalty. Nunez stepped to the spot, and confidently scored her fourth goal of the season at 89:38, closing the game and opening the celebration as the team locked in its first playoff berth since 2023.
That matchup will be at Saint Michael's College on Sunday, November 1 at 1:00 p.m.Â
