The Central Connecticut women's soccer team clinched an NEC Tournament berth on Sunday afternoon with its 3-1 win over the Wagner Seahawks. Junior Kerriann Welch tied up the match early in the second period, senior Rachel Cerrone scored the game-winner off a free kick and freshman Kelly Halligan added the insurance goal for the win.

With the victory, CCSU is now 5-3 in NEC play and will enter the 2013 Northeast Conference tournament as the fourth seeded team.

Wagner was the first to score in the match, netting the first goal of the game just before halftime in the 41st minute of play. CCSU entered the locker room down by one at the half.

For the second-straight game, Welch came out in the second period and scored the tying goal. Welch was assisted by a long pass from senior Nikki Kureczka.

The squads battled throughout the half looking to gain the edge but it wasn't until a free kick from Cerrone from outside the box found its way to the back of the net that the Blue Devils took the lead.

CCSU secured the win just over one minute later when Halligan scored her first career goal from just off of the right post. Halligan received the ball off of a tip from Welch. Freshman Morgan Santoro also earned an assist on the play.

The Central defense held strong, limiting the Seahawks to just 10 shots. The Blue Devils posted 19 shots, 11 of which were on goal.

Senior goalkeeper Nikola Deiter tallied eight saves on the day, bringing her season total to 84.

The Blue Devils will travel to Loretto, PA on Friday to compete in the semifinal round of the 2013 NEC Championships hosted by Saint Francis U.

An archive of Sunday's match is available on NECFrontRow.com. CLICK HERE to watch!

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