DANBURY, Conn. - Cassie Barbaresi (Bridgeport, Conn.) scored two goals in the second half to lift Western Connecticut State University to a 2-1 victory over Eastern Connecticut State University in the Little East Conference Tournament Saturday night at the Westside Athletic Complex.  Barbaresi was named the Most Outstanding Player for the Tournament after scoring two goals tonight and assisting on the Colonials' game-tying goal in Thursday night's 2-1 double-overtime win against Rhode Island College in the semifinals.
       
The Colonials, 17-2-1 and winners of their seventh LEC title, earns the automatic berth in the NCAA Division III National Championships which are slated to begin on Wednesday, November 7.  It will be WestConn's seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament.  WestConn has appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 and now 2007.  It has advanced to the second round of the NCAAs in each of the last two visits as well as in 2000.
       
After a scoreless first half, Barbaresi put the Colonials up 1-0 just 17 seconds into the second stanza when she dribble around the Warriors' defense and loft the ball over the head of ECSU keeper Megan Gloster (Agawam, Mass.).  It was her sixth goal of the season.
       
In the 64th minute, Barbaresi, a transfer from the Naval Academy, netted her seventh goal of the season.  This time, she picked up a loss ball 25-yards out and beat Gloster with a low blast.
       
Eastern Connecticut, 11-6-2, drew within a goal when Sarah Swann (Oxford, Conn.) deflected a clear by the WestConn defense directly into the back of the net.  From eight yards away, the clearing kick caromed off Swann and by Colonials' keeper Jenna Cappellieri (Stratford, Conn.).
       
Cappellieri finished the night with 14 saves.
       
Gloster turned away eight shot for the Warriors.