Crusader soccer sealed their seasons at the SCAC conference championship this weekend.
On the women’s side, Friday opened with a match against Texas Lutheran University. Ranked fourth and fifth seed respectively, the game stood scoreless at halftime. At 67 minutes, senior Elisa Duran landed one in the net. With three minutes remaining, freshman Alyssa Mencacci garnered her eighth goal of the season, enabling Dallas to land a 2-0 shutout. TLU had 10 shots, six on goal, but was no match for Dallas defense.
Goalie Olivia Severson kept a clean sheet with five saves.
“To win the SCAC quarterfinal for a second year in a row was a great accomplishment,” said Coach Lexi Stinson.
Saturday, the Crusaders went head-to-head with first seed Trinity University. After a scoreless first half, Trinity managed two goals in the second half, ultimately shutting out Dallas 2-0.
Severson had an astonishing 15 saves.
“Our team played with so much heart and determination Saturday against Trinity, I couldn’t have been more impressed by the girls,” said Stinson.
Although the season came to a close with a loss, women’s soccer had much to celebrate.
“This season was outstanding,” Stinson said in a text. “We had the most wins since the 2014 season, the fewest losses in almost a decade, [and] 8 shutouts … Our girls have raised the standard of UD Women’s Soccer.”
Additionally, Mencacci was named SCAC newcomer of the year, six players were recognized as SCAC all-conference players and four earned the honor of USCAA All-Americans.
On the men Crusaders — ranked sixth — fell Friday to number three ranked Trinity University.
The game stood scoreless at halftime, only to be broken by a goal in the 76th minute by Trinity University.
Trinity out-shot Dallas 25-8. Goalie Sean Carlin had eight saves during the match.
“The Trinity match set up to be a very tough one,” said Coach David Hoffman. “The boys played very well and executed the tactics. We played the game we wanted. [We] gave ourselves a chance to win and ultimately came up just a bit short late in the game.”
Men’s soccer received the honor of four USCAA All-American players.
