The College of Staten Island women's soccer team controlled the ball for the better part of the game, and held a lop-sided statistical edge over visiting New Jersey City University, but the Dolphins had to settle for a double-overtime 1-1 draw this afternoon at the CSI Soccer Complex.  The tie, the first in the all-time series with the two sides, brought the Dolphins to 4-0-1 on the season, while the Gothic Knights leveled to 1-1-1.

The Dolphins, who were without starters Natalie Tombasco and Deanna Kvetkoff, seemingly were in control from the opening minute, but were frustrated by the Knights' bend-but-don't break defense.  CSI was able to knock the ball around the midfield, but a series of crosses and feeds into the goal box were consistently thwarted by the visitors, and CSI was forced into low-percentage shots from odd angles.  

CSI put up 12 shots in the opening stanza, seven on goal, but it wasn't until the 34th minute that the squad finally hit paydirt.  Melissa Gelardi launched a free kick from NJCU keeper Brittany Hoffman's left side , and the ball found the foot of Danielle Alexandrini, who darted a ball into the far post from Hoffman's right to give CSI the 1-0 edge.  The goal for Alexandrini was her first of the season after registering four assist through the season's first four games.

NJCU's Hoffman came in to play the field in the second half as Cassie Lubonski guarded the pipes, but still CSI failed to get the quality scoring chances it needed.  The game slowed as it neared the end, thanks largely to the 90+ degree heat and the players laboring, and that's when the visitors made their move.  A bad clearing pass near midfield was intercepted by NJCU's Amanda Filippone, who promptly found a streaking Jillian Pecina racing down the left sideline.  Pecina raced in towards goal, getting inside position on CSI defender Amanda Percaccio before burying a left-footed shot passed keeper Victoria Donegan to knot the score at 1-1 with just 12:07 remaining in regulation.  The goal broke a string of 438 scoreless minutes yielded by the Dolphins to open the season.

Feeling the urgency, CSI turned on the offensive, and laced the final seven shots of the frame towards NJCU's end.  CSI's Demi-Jean Martorano posted a couple of short range diving shots in that frame, but Lubonski's positioning was perfect, as she made the saves with relative ease.

When play moved to overtime, it was once again all Dolphins as the team posted a 7-0 edge in shots, but none were on goal, something that plagued the Dolphins.  Samantha Wysokowski had the best chance, lacing a bending ball on a feed from Gelardi that went just inches wide on a shot during the first overtime.  In the second frame, Martorano was able to get to a deflected ball right to the side of the net, but her shot hit the side of the net, also falling wide.  Megan Burke had a pair of optimistic shots from well over 40 yards away that never threatened.

CSI held the final edge in shots, 30-3 (12-2 on goal), and a 5-0 edge in corner kicks.  Although settling for the tie, CSI is still enjoying its best start in program history.

The Dolphins will return to action on Saturday, September 14, at 12 Noon against non-conference Purchase State.