STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The #3 FDU Knights cruised past #2 Wagner by a score of 3-0 in Thursday's NEC Championship semifinal. The Knights now advance to the final on Sunday at #1 Howard. The winner will book an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
 
"We knew we had to play our top game, and I think we did today," said head coach Eric Teepe. "We wanted to be in control of the ball from the start and limit their attackers, and we did that."
 
This victory marked Tepee's 100^th win at FDU. This will be the Knights' seventh NEC Championship appearance under his leadership.
 
Freshman Marina Burzaco put FDU on the board with a beautiful wonder goal in the 31^st minute. Burzaco volleyed a ball from Elena Cvetkovic into the back of the net to put the Knights ahead 1-0. It was Burzaco's fourth goal of her rookie campaign.
 
The Burgundy and Blue were able to hold that 1-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
 
FDU continued to dictate possession and remained on the attacking foot in the second half. In the 71^st minute, Kiomy Luperon headed a ball home from Elisa Garcia to make it 2-0. Luperon has now scored in three straight matches.
 
14 minutes later, Cvetkovic delivered the definitive dagger. The freshman got enough on a header to beat the Wagner keeper and extend the lead to 3-0. It marked the third goal of her season and secured a multi-point match for the Serbian.
 
FDU outshot Wagner 16-8 in the match. Rosemarie LeBlanc played nearly 87 minutes and made three saves in the Knights' eighth shutout of the year.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
The championship match between #3 FDU and #1 Howard will be on Sunday at noon in Washington, D.C. Fans can stream the game on ESPN+ and NEC Front Row. Read Full Article