The women’s soccer team has won two out of their last three SUNYAC conference matchup games. With a current record of 2-3-2 in SUNYAC play, the Hawks must defeat both of their upcoming opponents in order to clinch the sixth and final seed in the 2014 SUNYAC Tournament.
On Friday, Oct. 10, the Hawks shutout SUNY Plattsburgh in a final score of 2-0.
Fourth-year defender Bryce Kristall scored a goal in the 15th minute to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. Kristall’s goal was assisted by third-year midfielder Kristina Gandolfo.The 1-0 score remained for the Hawks until fourth-year Captain Eleni Anselmi put home a penalty kick goal in the 90th and final minute of the match. Hawks first-year goaltender Katelyn Cordero earned her fourth shutout victory of the season as she tallied seven saves in this game.
The following day, the Hawks defeated SUNY Potsdam 1-0.
Anselmi scored the lone goal of the game for the Hawks in the 17th minute. Both Gandolfo and third-year forward Chelsea Weir tallied an assist on the goal. Cordero recorded four saves on the day to earn her fifth shutout victory of the season.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, the Hawks were blanked by host SUNY Oneonta in a score of 1-0. Red Dragons fourth-year midfielder Lana Vecchiarelli scored the lone goal of the game in the fourth minute which ultimately led to a win.
Head Coach Colleen Bruley said the team is taking positive notes from the game against the Red Dragons. The Red Dragons were the toughest SUNYAC opponent faced all season, she said.
The team has learned a lot this year when facing adversity, Weir said, and it has only helped them become stronger as a whole. They continue to learn from mistakes made in certain games in order to minimize them in the final two games.
“We’ve grown tremendously throughout season and will use what we have learned in the following games to come,” she said.
The Hawks next close out their schedule with SUNYAC conference road matchups against the two teams above the Hawks, Buffalo State and SUNY Fredonia, who are currently the eighth seed in the SUNYAC standings.
They take on Buffalo State on Friday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. and SUNY Fredonia on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.
Bruley said the future is in the team’s hands and their current focus is picking up a win against Buffalo.
“It comes down to this weekend and the girls know that,” she said. “It’s just a matter of turning up on Friday and playing our best and if we do that, than I think we’ll be successful. It’s just a matter of getting it done, it’s that simple.”
Anselmi said the team is going to do what they have done all season, except they are more focused this weekend.
“We all have the same goal and we’re all prepared to do what it takes to get there,” she said.
Weir said the team will give everything they have and fight to earn the points needed to earn a playoff spot.
“As long as we fight until the end and do everything that we can to win, we will succeed,” she said.
