DANBURY, CONN.  - The Western Connecticut State University women's soccer team clinched the 2007 Little East Conference regular-season title following its 4-0 victory at University of Southern Maine this past Saturday. It is the Colonials' seventh LEC regular-season crown.

The regular-season title brings along with it the number one seed in the upcoming LEC Tournament, which begins on Tuesday, October 30. WestConn, along with the #2 seed, which Eastern Connecticut State University, Keene State College and Rhode Island College are currently tied for, earns a first-round bye. The Colonials will host the winner of the #5 versus #4 first-round game in the semifinals on Thursday, November 1 at The WAC. The two semifinal winners will face off for the Tournament title on Saturday, November 3 at the higher remaining seed's pitch.

"This is a wonderful testament to our season and how hard these ladies have played this year," said 11-year coach Joe Mingachos. "The Little East Conference has been one of the strongest conferences year after year and for us to capture another title is a great accomplishment, but hopefully there is a lot more soccer ahead of us."

The winner of the LEC Tournament earns an automatic berth into the NCAA Division III National Championships which are slated to begin on Wednesday, November 7. The Colonials have made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2006) since 1997 including back-to-back trips in 2005 and 2006.

The Colonials, 14-1-1 and ranked 16th in the latest adidas/NSCAA Division III Women's Soccer Poll, won the Little East Conference Regular-Season and Tournament titles last season have been crowned LEC Champions six times since 1997.

After falling to sixth ranked Williams College, 4-0, back on September 18, WestConn has shut out 10 straight opponents during its 10-game win streak. It has allowed just six goals all season. Its tie, a 0-0 double-overtime final, came back on September 8 against seventh ranked Wheaton (MA) College.

Defensively, senior keeper Jenna Cappellieri (Stratford, Conn.) has a 0.34 goals-against average and has made 55 saves in 16 outings. She has eight shut outs. Shannon Cawley (Willimantic, Conn.) has appeared in five games and has allowed just one goal over a stretch of 106 minutes.

The defense is bolstered by Caitlin Boyle (Brookfield, Conn.), Amanda  Genova (New Milford, Conn.), Lindy Winchell (Wethersfield, Conn.) and Heather Garrity (Rocky Hill, Conn.) in the back third. WestConn has out shot its opponents 379-144 and have allowed just 58 shots on goal.

Offensively senior forward Catherine Nathans (New Fairfield, Conn.) leads the team with 12 goals, seven assist for 31 points. Classmate Kim Crayco (Bolton, Conn.) follows with nine goals and one assist for 19 points. Navy transfer Cassie Barbaresi (Bridgeport, Conn.) has come on offensively of late and has five goals, nine assists and 19 points as well.

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