Northampton, MA (taken from a Smith College press release) -- The top-seeded Smith College Pioneers defeated Brandeis University 2-0 this afternoon to advance to the title game of the 2006 ECAC New England Women’s Soccer Championship and will host the winner of the Springfield College/Keene State College game tomorrow at noon.

Both teams had scoring opportunities in the first half but each team’s defense stepped up to keep the game scoreless at the half. Janine Olthuis (Cavan, Ontario) scored the eventual game winning goal for the Pioneers at the 47:10 mark on a direct kick that sailed into the upper right corner of the net. Smith followed with an insurance goal eight minutes later when Natalie Sullivan (Aptos, CA) carried the ball up the right side and crossed it to Krista Matatt (Hoosick Falls, NY) who headed it in for the only other goal of the game. Lauren Bachtel (Dublin, OH) registered her 9th win of the year while Betsey Medow (Yorktown Hts., NY) took the loss for the Judges who end the year 10-6-3.