Staten Island, NY - The College of Staten Island Women's Soccer team fell behind early, but rallied back to dominate play and score a 4-1 winner over visiting York College at the CSI Soccer Complex.  The win, CSI's second-straight, drew the Dolphins to 3-3 overall, while the Cardinals fell to a season-opening 0-6.

The Dolphins had never surrendered a goal before to York College in 10 previous meetings, but that all came to an end just 38 seconds into the game, as the Cardinals raced in to the Dolphins' end, and after forcing a turnover, leading scorer Giselle Flores-Barajas rocketed a shot that ricocheted off of the far post and landed in the net, giving CSI keeper Samantha Beaudreault no opportunity to make the save as York took the 1-0 lead.

CSI needed a response, and they were fortunate to get one early.  After an errant shot by Nermina Bracic went wide, CSI continued their play deep in York territory, and leading goal-scorer Samantha LaValle when she laced in a shot off of a would-be clearance off of a Cardinals defender, knotting the score at 1-1 just 3:28 into the game.

With the score even, the teams settled into play, and it was clear that CSI was dictating play, generating strong chances, forcing YC keeper Chelsea Vasquez to be busy.  With CSI knocking on the door, senior Nicole Mignone was fouled in the box and she was awarded a penalty kick.  Mignone took her time, steadied, and beat Vasquez on the right side, staking CSI to a 2-1 lead at 14:38 of the first.

The Dolphins would continue to threaten, forcing Vasquez into another six saves to keep the game at 2-1 going into halftime.  CSI nearly doubled their lead in the 35th minute, but LaValle would hit the post.  Later, she would be robbed by Vasquez to keep it a one goal game.  

While York tried to get rushes up the field in the second stanza and tried to force the issue offensively, CSI was able to take advantage in the 60th minute, via the counterattack. Natalia Sandor would thread a ball to Mirsade Pelinkovic, that she bent in beautifully over an outstretched Vasquez to give CSI the insurance marker they needed, making it 3-1 at the 59:18 mark.  Pelinkovic was not done, as she tucked another right below the upper left post ti make it a 4-1 game at 73:22.  From there, CSI was kept off of the scoresheet, as Bracic came close to adding a fifth, seeing a tough-angle shot pop off the post.

CSI would out-shoot York, 40-1 in the game (17-1 on goal), owning a 10-0 edge in corner kicks as well.  Pelinkovic led the way for CSI with 11 shots, four on goal, while LaValle added eight.  Vasquez made 13 saves in defeat, while Beaudreault registered the win for CSI, not making a save.  Taylor Bellmon and Flores-Barajas were both cautioned with yellow cards.

The Dolphins will be back in action on Saturday, traveling to face NCAA Division II Queens College for a 1 pm showdown with their future ECC opponent.

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GAME VIDEO

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GAME HIGHLIGHTS

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PHOTO GALLERY

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