BRYN ATHYN, PA – The No. 3 seeded Cairn University Women's Soccer team took on No. 1 Bryn Athyn on the road Thursday night for the United East Women's Soccer Championship – Divisional Final. The Highlanders came up short, falling to the Lions, 2-0 in regulation.
 
Both sides were on the offensive early as Bryn Athyn (13-2-1 / 7-0-1 United East Skye Division) managed two shots in the first minutes of play as well as two quick shots by freshman midfielder Paige Noble (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ / Atlantic Christian School) for Cairn (7-6-4 / 5-4-2 United East Skye Division). As the Lions were able to advance the ball on multiple occasions in the first half, the Highlander defense held strong, keeping potential shooting opportunities away from the leading scorer in the conference. The physically played first half ended in a 0-0 tie.
 
The tone of the first half continued to ramp up after the break. Bryn Athyn would go up 1-0 about ten minutes into the half and as they did Tuesday, Cairn would look for an immediate answer, this time on a shot from senior midfielder Em Kuansongtham (Bangkok, Thailand / International Community School) which didn't fall. As the Highlanders looked to mount a comeback, the deficit would be doubled as the Lions scored again in the 80^th minute. With potentially ten minutes left in their season, Cairn pushed forward to the goal to try to get the momentum on their side. They would get two final shots off, one by Noble and the other by graduate defender Rachel Yoder (Telford, PA / Souderton), both of which came up short. As the final seconds wound down, the Highlanders could not overcome the end of their season.
 
Bryn Athyn held the advantage in shots and shots on goal 16-7 (10-4). Noble led in shooting with three shots, followed by two from Yoder and a single shots from Kuansongtham and senior midfielder Becca Marzinke (Quakertown, PA / Upper Bucks Christian). Senior goalkeeper Isabelle Portis (Midland Park, NJ / Eastern Christian High School) collected seven saves in her career finale.
 
Thursday night marks the end of an era for Cairn Women's Soccer as they graduate three of the greatest players to ever put on a Cairn Women's Soccer jersey. Marzinke and senior midfielder Teresa Lee (Jackson, NJ / Calvary Academy) were a dynamic duo over their five year careers, both finishing within the top 10, if not top 5, in multiple offensive statistical categories of program records. Lee and Marzinke sit 6^th and 7^th all-time, respectively in career points with 74 and 67. Lee finishes 6^th all-time in career goals scored (28) and 3^rd all-time in career assists (18) behind Marzinke who is finishes 2^nd all-time in career assists (21), the most recorded in a career in this era of Cairn Women's Soccer (since 2009). Both are in the record book as well for games played, started, and minutes played which is a testament to their enduring presence on the pitch. Portis goes down as one of the greatest goalkeeper in Cairn history, tied with Mackenzie Paugh for the most career wins (27), and holds the records for most career shutouts (17) and ties (6). Her 275 saves are the third most ever.  The program graduates eleven seniors, all of which will leave big shoes to fill as Coach Kailey Bartholomew, staff, and the Cairn Women's Soccer team set their eyes on the 2024 United East Women's Soccer Championship.