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Staten Island, NY -- Carrying memories of a heartbreaking loss to Central Connecticut in the 2023 NEC final and the dream of capturing the program’s first-ever NEC women’s soccer title, Wagner had plenty of motivation entering Sunday’s championship. After a grueling 104-minute battle, the Green & White could finally call it mission accomplished.

The second-seeded Seahawks claimed a come-from-behind overtime victory for the second game in a row, emerging as 2-1 winners over the fourth-seeded Blue Devils on a rain soaked Hameline Field in Staten Island.

Wagner's golden opportunity came on a long free kick in Wagner's defensive half. After a bounce off of a header from Deidre Meberg, Tournament MVP Riley Frederick chased the ball down and slipped a shot past CCSU keeper Melina Ford and into the far corner for the sudden-death game-winner, making history for the Seahawks in the process.

With its first-ever NEC title in hand, Wagner (11-2-6) will play in the NCAA Tournament for the very first time. The Seahawks enter their first round match on a 10-game unbeaten run. As for Central Connecticut (7-6-5), its quest for a record 14th title will continue, having its five-match unbeaten streak snapped.

The opening goal came early in the match, with CCSU's Kiley Yepes bending a brilliant shot into the left corner from outside the box to give the Blue Devils the lead just nine minutes in. The two sides would trade chances throughout the rest of the first half, but the score would remain 1-0 entering halftime.

The Seahawks came out of the break on a mission, and eventually found the equalizer in the 58th minute thanks to Meberg. The sophomore was on the receiving end of a brilliant cross from teammate Caroline Kessler, and was able to tap the ball into the goal to even the score. With the game tied, Wagner rained down a barrage of shots upon Central Connecticut. The Seahawks fired 14 shots in the second half, but could not find the winning goal.

After a rainy 90 minutes, the game went to extra time.

The first overtime period finished scorless, but Wagner nearly won the game at the buzzer. In the final 10 seconds of the period, Ford made a save on a shot from outside the box, but could not corral the wet ball. On the loose ball, Wagner ended up with an open goal, but the shot went off the right post and out of play. The miss granted the Blue Devils a lifeline.

In the second overtime, Wagner had two chances early on in the period. One of them was on target, but was turned away by the Ford, the 2025 NEC Goalkeeper of the Year. The third time was the charm for Wagner as Frederick's strike etched her name in Wagner history.

Wagner outshot Central Connecticut 22-5 on the day, and 17-1 from the second half onwards.

Ford made seven saves in the match. Wagner goalkeeper Abigail Marcello only needed to make one.

NEC All-Tournament Team
Riley Frederick, Fr., F, WC (MVP)
Izzy Gomez, Sr., M/F, WC
Hailey Knapp, So., D, WC
Anayah Rivera, So., F, WC
Isabella Cambio, Fr., CCSU
Leah Howe, So., CCSU
Stella Orellana, So., CCSU
Laura Martinez, Jr., M, FDU
Ana Salas, Jr., M, FDU
Maya Blackston, So., M, HU
Rachel Suttle, Gr., D, HU