Virginia Beach, VA - The USCAA #11 Johnson & Wales women's soccer team finished as runners-up in Pool C at the USCAA National Championship this past weekend, losing 3-1 to #2 SUNY-ESF on Friday and defeating #7 NHTI 3-0 on Saturday.

The Wildcats (9-11) were making their first appearance in the national tournament, and wasted little time announcing their arrival as sophomore midfielder Danielle Doyle fired them into the lead against SUNY-ESF just 16 minutes into the game.

A well-weighted through ball from freshman striker Taylor Helms put Doyle in on goal, and she calmly slotted her effort past Kiki Hilmer to give Johnson & Wales the 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats nearly doubled their advantage minutes later after a quick combination put Lana Truese in on goal, but her effort rolled wide.

SUNY-ESF leveled in the 29th minute through Natalee Wrege.  Two more goals midway through the second half by Alyssa Hughes and Heather Carl put the game to rest.

Goalkeeper Kylie Priddy finished with 14 saves for the Wildcats.

The following day, a first half brace by Doyle was the difference as Johnson & Wales won comfortably against NHTI.

Doyle struck twice within a two-minute span late in the first half, finishing a through ball from Christin Abdullah in the 39th minute and doubling the advantage in the 41st on an assist from Tuese.

Truese would put the game out of reach just over a minute into the second half, as Doyle turned provider to make it 3-0.

Priddy was called on to make 12 saves in the winning effort.

The Wildcats concluded their second season of existence with a 9-11 record despite playing the 12th hardest schedule in the country.  Doyle capped her season with 21 goals, good for ninth best in the country, while Truese finished with 13 assists - fifth best amongst all USCAA women's soccer players.