CHICOPEE, Mass. – No. 2 Elms College defeated No. 3 Regis College, 2-1, in a New England Collegiate Conference Women's Soccer Semifinal matchup on Thursday night in Chicopee, Mass. Regis wraps up its season at 11-6-2 overall, and awaits word on a possible postseason bid next week.

The Blazers (11-8-1) advance to play in their second straight NECC Championship game and will take on the winner of the No. 1 Lesley and No. 5 Southern Vermont game happening Thursday night.

Less than five minutes into the opening half, the Blazers cracked the scoreboard as sophomore defender Kylen O'Hearn(Somers, Conn.) played the ball up the sideline and lofted a ball towards the net, where Regis junior goalkeeper Rachel Gagnon (Ashford, Conn.) denied the initial attempt, but failed to corral the loose ball, allowing sophomore midfielder Rachel Connell (Easthampton, Mass.) to tuck the ball inside the far post, giving the Blazers a 1-0 advantage.

The Pride knotted the game up in the 29th minute as Elms junior goalkeeper Alexa Rinaudo (Bellmore, N.Y.) challenged a cross in the box, leaving the net open. Regis senior midfielder Adena Joseph (Stoughton Mass.) tracked down the loose ball on the goal line and played a ball towards the front of the net, where, in an attempt to clear the ball, it ricchotted of freshman defender Lexi Vieria (Warren, R.I.) and into the net, tying the game at 1-1. The teams remained tied heading into the halftime.

In the 66th minute of play, O'Hearn launched a pass towards the right side of the Pride goal box, where freshman defender Angelina Estrada (Springfield, Mass.) chased down the loose ball and ripped a shot into the upper left corner of the net, regaining a 2-1 lead for the Blazers. A stout defensive effort by the Blazers backline prevent the Pride from capitalizing on surges in the final minutes, securing the 2-1 victory.

The Blazers held an 18-5 advantage in shots and 2-0 lead in corner kicks. Rachel Gagnon finished the night with six saves. Senior captains Jasmin Vivar (Attleboro, Mass.) and Jackie Rocheville (Salem, Mass.) each registered a shot on goal for the Pride.

Parts of release courtesy of Elms College Sports Information