The St. Lawrence women's soccer team clinched its first Liberty League Tournament berth since 2023 on Saturday afternoon, battling Union College to a scoreless draw on Senior Day at Sandy MacAllaster Field in Canton, N.Y.
The postseason bid is the first under head coach
Dima Kaliakin and sends the Saints back to the Liberty League Tournament for the first time since the program's current senior class reached the conference playoffs as first-years in 2023.
St. Lawrence moved to 6-5-7 overall and 3-3-3 in Liberty League play, while Union moved to 6-4-7 overall and 4-1-4 in conference action.
The Saints generated the stronger attacking chances throughout the afternoon, outshooting the Garnet Chargers 14-12 and holding a 6-5 advantage in corner kicks.
St. Lawrence nearly opened the scoring midway through the first half. Following a pair of corner kicks,
Sydney Keenan and
Valentina Moretti each forced saves from Union goalkeeper Maya Koster less than a minute apart, but the visitors were able to keep the match level.
The Saints continued to control play after halftime and pressed for a breakthrough.
Grace Gibson put a shot on frame in the 72nd minute before
Zoe Rogan tested Koster again five minutes later, but Union's goalkeeper came up with the save.
Union's best opportunities came in the second half, but sophomore goalkeeper
Zoe Davenport was equal to the task.
Davenport made key saves on shots from Taylor Bovardi in the 64th minute and Emily DeSousa in the 81st minute to preserve the clean sheet on her senior day.
The Scarlet and Brown continued to push in the closing minutes as Rogan generated several chances and
Kiki D'Anza and
Paige McLaughlin each had late opportunities, but neither side could find the winner as the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Davenport finished with three saves for her shutout, while Koster stopped all four shots on goal she faced. St. Lawrence finished with advantages in shots (14-12) and corner kicks (5-1).
With the result and scores around the league, the Saints secured a return to the Liberty League Tournament for the first time since 2023.
The Scarlet and Brown, who earned the sixth seed, will be on the road for the first round of the playoffs and will head to Schenectady, N.Y., for a rematch against third-seeded Union on Tuesday, November 3.
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