The Dominican University women's soccer team ran their program-best unbeaten streak to 20 matches, improving to 16-0-4 overall, knocking off the Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons 3-0 at West Campus Field on Wednesday afternoon in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Tournament semifinals to punch their ticket back to the NACC Tournament Championship match for the second straight season and the fifth time in program history.
 
"I'm really proud of the team and the effort they put forth today," commented head coach Carlos Carrillo following the victory. "We have talked about the importance of the quick start all year and that is much more important in the postseason.  The early scores gave us the confidence we needed and put CUW on their heels.  We were then able to stay organized and not give up any opportunities to allow them back into the match."
 
A restart near midfield in the tenth minute of play allowed the Stars to open the scoring.  Senior Kaitlyn Tripp's service found the head of Alyssa Messina who was able to flick a pass that found the foot of the conference's leading goal scorer, Josseline Williams.  Williams took one touch to the outside before getting off a right-footed shot that beat the Falcons' Tabitha Ortiz to the far post.
 
The Stars continued to take it to the Falcons, breaking through again in the 18^th minute when Tania Paez gained the endline inside the penalty box before slotting a pass to the center of the goal mouth where both Messina and Williams were making a run for the easy tap in goal credited to Messina.
 
Five minutes later, Dominican added an insurance goal when Tania Martinez cleared a ball that floated over the Falcons' backline where Williams played it with her chest before taking a touch to goal and beating Ortiz for her 30^th goal of the season.
 
Holding the three-goal advantage throughout the match, Dominican stayed organized in the back, surrendering just three shots over the final 45 minutes and only one on goal.
 
"We have had our sights set on the conference championship match since falling in the finals last season," said Carrillo. "We have worked for this all season and have some unfinished business to take care of on Saturday."
 
The Stars will return to action on Saturday, awaiting the winner of tonight's Benedictine at MSOE semifinal match in Milwaukee.