Panthers secure bid for chance at USCAA DII Women's Soccer Championship
Albany, N.Y. (ACPHS)- The ACPHS Women's Soccer team gathered Wednesday night to watch the highly anticipated USCAA National Soccer Championship Bid Day.
The Panthers, who finished their season 12-1-1 lost their conference tournament championship a week and a half ago against Paul Smiths College 0-1. The loss was the Panthers first of the season, but after Wednesday night, the Panthers may look back at the loss as something they needed headed into the big dance.
ACPHS celebrated after hearing their names called as the third seed in the tournament, happy to get an opportunity at an extended post-season even after their conference championship loss. Paul Smiths enters the tournament seeded first overall.
"We were upset seeing that." said senior captain Emily D'Abrosca (Cumberland, RI / Mount St. Charles Academy). "We were disappointed in not being an even higher seed - that motivates us".
D'Abrosca, a decorated goalscorer for the Panthers noted that regardless of seeding, this is what the team has been working for all season, and enter next weekend with a huge chip on their shoulder. "This sparks another fire" she said.
The Panthers will advance past the first round via a bye, but then clash with a familiar foe, second seeded SUNY ESF.
"We have a history with ESF - you could call them our rivals at one point." said D'Abrosca.
The "rivalry", nonexistent since the pandemic, brings new faces. D'Abrosca is looking to facing off against the Mighty Oaks with a relatively new roster since the last time they squared off.
"A new team with that clear mind set is good for us." she said. "If we train hard, keep our conditioning up, we can win".
Panthers coach Jonathan Woodrow preaches consistency ahead of the tournament.
"My answer all season has been consistency - there are no bad teams anymore. We need to be consistent so we can bring the championship home." said Woodrow.
Woodrow was blunt in saying tactics would change against a better opponent, but the team's mindset needs to remain the same.
For now, the Panthers will be happy to be one of six teams advancing to the USCAA National Championship, but the team is far from satisfied ahead of next weekends win or go home clash with ESF.