No. 1 Delta Tops WSOC at NJCAA National Tournament

BATAVIA, New York ---- Top-ranked and reigning National Champion Delta College scored four times in the first half, to defeat the eighth-seeded Massasoit women's soccer team, 8-0, on Thursday in the opening round of the NJCAA Tournament. 

In a matchup of unbeaten teams, Delta (17-0), the nation's highest scorer offense, entered Thursday's matchup after winning their district tournament by an average of 12 goals per game. 

Massasoit head coach Jim Stapleton noted despite playing a Pioneer team that is now riding a 29-game win streak and competing in their third-straight National Championship, the Warriors were not intimidated. 

"I am really proud of how the girls played today," Stapleton said. "They played really hard and right through the end against a very, very talented Delta team. It did not matter what the score was, we kept competing and did not give up."

The Warriors (11-1), which suffered their first loss of the season, kept the high-octane Delta offense off the scoreboard through the first 13 minutes of action until Carly Boen put the Pioneers up for good. 

Delta tacked on goals in the 19th and 22nd minutes, as the three-goal blitz took place over a nine-minute span. 

The game looked to go to the half with the Warriors trailing just 3-0, but Delta's top scorer Faith Webber, who finished with a hat trick for the game, blasted a 30-yard shot with just six seconds left in the half to send Delta up 4-0 at intermission.

"The goal right before the half was a killer," Stapleton said. "We weathered the storm a bit after the three quick goals they scored. But, it was a great shot and we have to tip our hats to Delta and wish them luck in the next round. They are an excellent team and would not be surprised to see them back in the finals.."

Massasoit goalie Ailish Olmstead was under pressure throughout the contest, making a career-high 20 saves. Olmstead's save total marked the most stops in a game since Laura Ellis made 27 saves against Mercer County on Oct. 10, 2015.

"Ailish was incredible today. What a tough kid," Stapleton said. "They could have a couple more goals for sure if it was not for her incredible play."

Massasoit will face tournament-host Genesee Community College on Friday at 11 AM to close out the tournament and the 2021 season. 

Tournament Notes

• Massasoit played in its first NJCAA National Tournament in Women's Soccer since 1989.

• The loss for Massasoit was its first in 747 days. The last loss for the Massasoit women's soccer team was in the Region 21 Semifinals vs Bristol on Oct. 26, 2019.

• Thursday marked the first-time all-season Massasoit was shutout.