November 13, 2002

Grove City falls in first-ever NCAA playoff

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Visiting Grove City (13-7-2) could not fully overcome an early 2-0 deficit Wednesday afternoon against Nazareth in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Empire 8 champion Golden Flyers (17-3-1). The game represented Grove City's first-ever trip to the NCAA tournament in the program's 11-year history.

Grove City junior Susannah Cafardi (6) attempts to keep Nazareth forward Casey Corcoran from the ball during the teams' NCAA regional quarterfinal in Rochester, N.Y.

The Lady Wolverines fell behind 2-0 midway through the first half when junior Meg Tilley (Columbia, Md./Hammond) cut the gap in half in the 37th minute with her 24th goal of the season. Michelle Novosel (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) provided the assist.

In the second half, Nazareth's Jaime Snyder scored her second goal of the game in the 65th minute, pushing the Flyers' lead to 3-1. Grove City countered quickly, though, as Tilley lofted a goal over the head of Nazareth goalkeeper Candace Hatcher in the 66th minute.

Nazareth, which is making its fifth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, held a 31-2 shot advantage over the Lady Wolverines. Senior goalkeeper Katy Turman (Abington, Pa./Abington) stopped 13 shots for Grove City.

The game was Grove City's second all-time playoff appearance. In 2000, the Lady Wolverines fell in the ECAC tournament to Lebanon Valley, 2-1. 

Nazareth will now face William Smith in the New York Region semifinals. 

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