Staten Island, NY | The College of Staten Island Women's Soccer team got back in the win column this afternoon, soaring past Lehman College at the CSI Soccer Complex, 5-0, getting them back to .500. The win lifted CSI to 5-5, while Lehman fell to 3-9 overall.

Despite owning a majority of possession, play was rather tempered in the opening minutes, as both teams struggled to get quality chances in the lower third of the field. CSI only registered a pair of shots on frame, both by sophomore Mirsade Pelinkovic, but both easily corralled by LC keeper Rebecca Gritz.  

Working their counterattack, CSI finally was able to capitalize in the 25th minute, when Angye Galan, open in the midfield was able to put one through the right side to a streaking Amber Mitchell who out-raced the defense and put one over top of Gritz, off the crossbar and down into the goal, giving CSI a 1-0 lead at the 24:16 mark. The goal changed the complexion of the game, as from there, Lehman was forced to surge forward for an equalizer, allowing CSI to get upfield a little easier via the counter.

After a Gritz save off of a Nermina Bracic shot, CSI was able to register again as Nicole Mignone found herself open in the midfield and from approximately 30 yards out sent a rocket towards goal that tucked in under the crossbar over the outstretched hands of Gritz to give CSI a 2-0 lead just over five minutes later, at 30:03. CSI continued to dominate play, and after skirting around the Lehman box, freshman Jordan Yagos found herself open and thread a pass to the right corner to Mignone, who again had space and again put one over Gritz to give CSI a commanding 3-0 lead at 36:51.  

Lehman's lone shot of the first half came with just 1:15 left in the frame, blocked by the CSI defense.

Although it was Lehman that was forced to press in the second half, it was CSI that came out with a head of steam, putting a lot of pressure as the Lightning struggled to get established in the CSI zone. The Dolphins were frustrated early, as the LC defense knocked down a few CSI chances, some from in-close, but at 58:21, CSI increased their lead to four when Pelinkovic unleashed a shot in the box that went through Gritz' hands and right on to the head of Mitchell, who notched her second of the game to make it 4-0.

With a majority of reserves having entered the game, CSI made it a 5-0 lead with 17:57 left, when Crystara Valera scored her first of the season, punching in a goal from on the doorstep off of a sterling feed from Mignone.

CSI led the final shot count, 24-2 (12-1 on goal), and held a 4-1 edge in corner kicks attempts. Only five fouls were whistled in total with no bookings. Samantha Beaudreault made a single save in the shutout win while Gritz made seven saves in the losing cause.

CSI will be right back to action on Monday when they travel to face Montclair State University under the lights at 7 pm.