LEICESTER, Mass. — An amazing first half goal was all that fifth-seeded Southern Vermont College needed Tuesday evening to capture a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) women's soccer first round victory, winning 1-0 at No. 4 Becker College on Alumni Field.

SVC senior Lixsa Arlet Sandoval (Stockton, California) couldn't have asked for a better time to register her third goal of the season, banging home a header off a free kick in the 20th minute of action for what would prove to be the game-winner.

Tuesday's triumph is the team's first postseason victory since a 3-2 win over Emmanuel College in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference's 1999 tournament. This also marks the first career postseason win for Southern Vermont fourth-year head coach Michael Zauzig after being knocked out in the opening round in each of the last three NECC playoffs.

The Mountaineers will next head to top-seeded Lesley University on Thursday for a semifinal matchup; the Lynx defeated Southern Vermont 2-0 back on September 27 in the conference opener. SVC improves to 8-10 on the year with Tuesday's win while the Hawks end the season with an 8-9-2 overall mark.

Mountaineer freshman keeper Melissa Mascari (Saratoga Springs, New York) recorded her fifth shutout of the season, making 12 saves to keep the Hawks out of the night while her team avenged a 2-1 regular season loss to BC. The rookie goaltender improves to 8-10 on the season with the win.

"I'm really proud of the resiliency of the team," Zauzig commented. "Sometimes you want your style of game to look good. Other times you have to pull out a gritty win, and it was a great one at that."

A Becker foul deep in Hawk defensive territory would be costly for the hosts 20 minutes into action. After organizing a set piece from just outside the box, SVC freshman Victoria Huff (Schuylerville, New York) played a tremendous serve towards the goal where Sandoval was breaking. She got to the near post in time to jump up and get off a solid header, one that flew up into the back of the net past the outstretched arms of BC senior goalie Kaitlyn Rose (North Attleboro, Massachusetts).

"It was a great goal," Zauzig noted, "and really well deserved for a senior captain to be the difference maker in a big game like this."

SVC's defense held steady through the break and into the second half lights, keeping the Hawks at bay with long-range attempts that were fairly routine for Mascari. The Mountaineers utilized their possessions and gradually worked time off the clock, moving closer to the win with every clear.

But with the end of its season looming, Becker started to make more aggressive pushes down the field for the equalizer as time ran thin. That strategy nearly paid off with just over one minute to go when a scramble in the SVC box ensued with Hawks trying to punch it in. BC senior Alycia Dery (Millville, Massachusetts) was able get a foot on the ball and take a shot, one that rang off the post to the delight and relief of the Mountaineers and their fans.

"It's a great feeling for me to experience what it's like to win in the playoffs," continued Zauzig. "But I'm even happier for this team, especially those of them who have been on the other side of these games the last few years."

Rose turned away three SVC shots in the loss, falling to an even 6-6-1 in net to finish her season.