Result
The Nassau Community College women's soccer team punched its ticket to the Region XV Championship with a 2-1 semifinal win over Fashion Institute of Technology on Tuesday afternoon at Mitchel Field. Nassau showed resilience and composure to edge FIT and earn a spot in the Region XV Final. Behind Lipton's standout performance and Castaneda's steady play in goal, the Lions advanced to the championship match, continuing their late-season surge.
How It Happened
- First Half: Both teams battled evenly through the opening 30 minutes before Nassau broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. Sloane Lipton slipped a pass through the middle to Angela Reyes, who finished calmly inside the right post to give the Lions a 1-0 halftime lead. Goalkeeper Heidi Castaneda made two first-half saves to keep the Lions in front.
- Second Half: FIT equalized in the 72nd minute when Hithasha Lakshman converted a rebound off a corner kick from Abby Rufino to make it 1-1. Nassau quickly regained control, and in the 78th minute, Lipton delivered again, this time scoring unassisted from 20 yards out to restore the Lions' lead. Castaneda made a clutch save in the 81st minute to preserve the advantage as Nassau held firm down the stretch to secure the semifinal win.
Notes & Standout Performers
- Lipton led the attack with a goal and an assist, including the match-winner in the 78th minute.
- Reyes scored her second goal of the season off Lipton's assist.
- Castaneda finished with five saves in 90 minutes for her third win of the year.
- Both teams tallied 12 shots each, but Nassau placed five on goal compared to FIT's six.
Up Next
The Lions will face top-seeded Suffolk County Community College in the Region XV Championship on Saturday, November 1st at Mitchel Field.
Stay up to date with Nassau athletics with live streams and stats at nassaulions.com/watch. Follow the Lions on Instagram and X at @lionsncc.
