Box Score A stingy defense and an opportunistic second half goal by Samantha Wysokowski powered the College of Staten Island women's soccer squad to a 1-0 win over Rutgers-Newark this afternoon, lifting the Dolphins to a perfect 3-0 on the season, and giving the visiting Dolphins their first win in program history over the Scarlet Raiders, who leveled to 1-1-1 on the season.

CSI, which has not allowed a goal this season through 270 minutes, stood their defensive ground in the first half, one owned statistically by the Scarlet Raiders to the tune of a 10-2 lead in shots (4-0 on goal).  While the chances for the Dolphins were limited, defensively the team proved sound, with Victoria Donegan making a string of diving grabs and getting the help of two balls that rattled off of the crossbar and another off of the post.  Later, RU's Alexis Sutton appeared to have a goal passed CSI keeper, but defender Amanda Percaccio was there to sweep the ball away at the goal line via a header, preserving the tie. 

The Dolphins then turned on the offensive jets in the second half, almost reversing the game statistically and getting the only goal that was needed in the win.  Just 5:54 into the frame, junior Wysokowski collected a bad RU clearing attempt from 20 yards out, then smoked a ball into the low right-hand corner of the goal passed RU keeper Diana Aviles to give the visiting Dolphins the lead.  To that point, CSI had only registered their first shot on goal 44 seconds before.  The goal allowed CSI to clamp down defensively, and the back line of Nicole Molinell, Megan Burke, and Percaccio all stepped up to thwart a series of chances, as RU registered only four shots (two on goal) in the frame.

The win was big for the Dolphins, improving them to 3-0 for only the second time in team history, and giving them their first win over the Scarlet Raiders in program history.  Until this afternoon, RU-Newark owned a 4-0 all-time record over CSI, out-scoring the Dolphins by a 14-0 margin in the process.

"Tonight was a war," said John Guagliardo.  "They are a physical team but our team really stepped up and matched their intensity.  Our defenders did a great job and we got the goal we needed.  It was an important win for us."

For the game, RU-Newark held the edge in shots, 14-11 (6-4 on goal).  Donegan made five saves for CSI for her third consecutive shutout, while Aviles made three saves in defeat.  The goal was Wysokowski was unassisted, her fifth of the season, tying her with Demi-Jean Martorano for the team lead.

CSI returns to action on Saturday afternoon, hosting visiting Medgar Evers College at the CSI Soccer Complex at 1pm.  The game will not count toward the CUNYAC standings and is MEC's opener.