Women's soccer claims historic 14th Ivy Title, qualifies for NCAA Tournament

Saturday, October 30

Providence, R.I.

7:00 PM

Brown University

11-3-0, 6-0-0

University of Pennsylvania

9-4-2, 3-3-0

Penn

Brown

Photo by: David Silverman Photography

Women's soccer claims historic 14th Ivy Title, qualifies for NCAA Tournament

10/30/2021 10:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Highlights

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Brown women's soccer team defeated Penn 1-0 Saturday evening to claim its second Ivy League Title in as many seasons and 14^th overall to become the most decorated program in Ivy League Women's Soccer history.

The Bears also receive the Ivy League's lone NCAA Automatic Qualifier and will appear in the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in program history.

"I loved the energy and intensity that the team came out with today," head coach Kia McNeill said. "Obviously, we were playing for a lot. We were playing for our seniors. We were playing for a championship. I think you could see and feel the energy they were playing with."

The Bears opened the game with relentless offensive pressure, peppering the Penn defense with five shots in the first eight minutes. The fifth of those shots found the back of the net off the foot of Ava Seelenfreund.

Brown controlled a Quaker goal kick at midfield and Evelyn Calhoon quickly found Brittany Raphino who took one touch to face the goal and fired a through ball to Seelenfreund. The junior brought it into the box and flicked it around a charging Penn goalie.

The Bears had 10 total shots in the first half, but only put a total of two on goal. The opportunities were there as Brown look poised to add to its lead, but just couldn't convert again.

"I think we could have had a little more composure in the final third to put this game away a little bit earlier," McNeill said. "But in general, I thought we played really well, played really well as a team."

The second half was filled with more chances for the Bears. After the 10 shots in the first half, Brown added nine in the second to end up outshooting Penn 19-2 on the night.

Kayla Thompson only had to make one save in goal as the Bears did a great job of keeping the Quakers from ever creating true quality chances. Brown stifled a Penn attack that had been averaging 2.23 goals per game to pick up its sixth shutout of the season.

"To me personally, it's always great to win a championship," Thompson said. "I love winning. It's great to come and be part of this successful team that Kia has built. I just feel lucky to be a part of it.

"For the team, we made history in 2019, but now to go back to back, it's great. To be 6-0 [in the Ivy League], we are on a great path to make some more history."

The night served as the team's Senior Night, as the nine-player senior class was honored prior to the game.

"They really deserve this win," McNeill said. "I'm just happy that the seniors could go out with an Ivy League Championship because that's what they deserve."

The victory guarantees Brown at least a share of the Ivy League Title. A win in the Bears' final game will clinch it outright and will also move Brown to 7-0 in conference action for the first time in program history. The last time the Bears won all of their Ivy League games was in 1990, when they went 6-0.

Brown will play its final game of the regular season next Saturday, Nov. 6 on the road at 1 p.m. against Yale.