Teams: Women's Soccer: Press Releases

Monday, September 17, 2007

CADIGAN SCORES NESCAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS IN WOMEN'S SOCCER

MEDFORD -- The Tufts University women's soccer team enjoyed a busy, but successful weekend, and the catalyst was sophomore Cara Cadigan (Nahant, MA/Swampscott). Today she was named the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Player of the Week for the second week of the 2007 season.

On Saturday at Kraft Field, Tufts defeated eighth-ranked and #1 in New England Middlebury College in the second overtime period. That game finished at 6:00 pm. Right back in action 20 hours later on Sunday at 2:00 pm against Carthage College from Wisconsin, the Jumbos showed their stamina with a dominating 2-0 victory over their previously undefeated visitors.

Cadigan figured in all four goals of the weekend. Against Middlebury, Tufts trailed 1-0 as the clock wound down under 10 minutes. Playing a free kick, Cadigan headed the ball to first-year Sarah Nolet (Los Altos, CA) and she scored the game-tying goal with just six minutes left in regulation. Cadigan then notched the game-winner in the 107th minute with a nifty move in front to beat the Panther goalie and give Tufts a 2-1 decision.

On Sunday, the Jumbos earned a 21-5 advantage in shots over Carthage and Cadigan was the finisher, scoring two more goals. She kicked in a rebound in the 15th minute and drilled home a cross from the top of the 18 in the 72nd minute for insurance.

The week had opened with a disappointing 2-0 loss to 23rd ranked Wheaton College on Tuesday. The Jumbos rebounded with a strong weekend. Cadigan, who missed her freshman season after ACL surgery, has now scored four of the team's six goals this season. Her four goals lead NESCAC early in the season.

"What impresses me most about Cara is her composure around the goal," Tufts coach Martha Whiting said. "On two of her goals this year she had a defender on her back and a goalkeeper diving at her feet. It was as if no one was around her as she calmly snuck the ball into the back of the net. Aside from that, she is super quick and crafty with the ball. She makes great decisions on the field. To top it off, she's just a great kid and is fitting in really nicely with the rest of the team."

She was the Northeastern Conference Player of the Year at Swampscott High School in 2005.

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