Despite dropping two conference matches over the weekend, the women’s soccer team is working hard until the final whistle blows.
The Hawks began a four-game homestand, their longest of the season, last weekend. They are in the midst of playing all State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) opponents for the rest of the schedule.
With the Hawks in the middle of a four-game losing streak, head coach Colleen Bruley said the season has been frustrating all around with a one-win record.
“They’re giving every ounce of themselves and playing with heart,” Bruley said. “It just hasn’t worked out. That’s all we can continue to do, and I know that that’s what they will continue to do.”
After taking an early lead, the Hawks were unable to stifle the comeback of The College at Brockport, as they fell 2-1 on Friday, Sept. 30 on South Turf Field.
Hawks fourth-year midfielder Skye Kaler broke open the scoring in the third minute off a feed from first-year midfielder Mikayla Pugliese. This was Kaler’s first goal of the season.
Right before halftime, Golden Eagles fourth-year midfielder Kaitlyn Neidermeier netted the equalizer in the 42nd minute. Later in the game, Brockport fourth-year midfielder Christina Leonardo would tally the game-winner in the 67th minute, off an assist from fellow fourth-year midfielder Stefanie Drago.
First-year goalkeeper Angela Ratka registered six saves between the pipes for the Hawks.
The following day the Hawks were shutout 4-0 by SUNY Geneseo.
Geneseo would score off a corner in the 19th minute, and then again six minutes later. During the second half, the rest of the Knights’ goals would come two minutes apart in the 58th and 60th minutes. Ratka made her 10th start in goal, playing the full 90 minutes.
“The last 17 seconds of the game, there were girls just sprinting and diving on the field, it was 4-0 and we didn’t really give up at all,” Hawks fourth-year captain Sloane Lipshie said. “It was actually moving.”
The Hawks (1-10-2 overall, 0-4-0 SUNYAC) will host SUNY Potsdam (7-3-1 overall, 0-2-1 SUNYAC) on Friday, Oct. 7 at 3 p.m, and then take on SUNY Plattsburgh (8-4 overall, 3-0 SUNYAC) on Oct. 8 at 1 p.m.
Bruley said the Hawks are taking a game-by-game approach at the moment as they near the remainder of the season.
“It’s one game at a time and one practice at a time,” Bruley said. “We just want to get a win, we’ve won one game, and that’s just not good enough. They’re not putting their heads down yet, I won’t let them do that. It’s just taking everything day-by-day, and just trying to get a little bit better.”
Upcoming games
• Friday, Oct. 7 vs. SUNY Potsdam at South Turf Field, 3 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 8 vs. SUNY Plattsburgh at South Turf Field, 1 p.m. (Senior Day)
