Staten Island, NY – In game one of a conference doubleheader, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Dolphin Soccer Park, The College of Staten Island Women's Soccer team played in their second to last East Coast Conference (ECC) matchup of the season. In what was also senior day, the Dolphins celebrated their lone senior, Mirsade Pelinkovic, who played three seasons for the Dolphins from 2018-2021. Thus far in her three years, she has scored 15 goals for CSI and tallied 13 assists while also serving as one of the team's three captains in 2021. As for the game, CSI felt the wrath of another top-tier team in the ECC, this time losing to the Lions of Molloy College, 6-0. The loss drops the Dolphins record to 3-13-1 overall and 2-5-1 in the ECC. The win for the Lions improves their overall record to 14-2 and 7-1 in the ECC. CSI will have one more ECC matchup left that will wrap up their season, one week from today at home against Bridgeport.

KEY MOMENTS

The Dolphins were down early via a penalty shot in the seventh minute of play, 1-0. It was Dana Poetzsch who put one just over and off the fingertips of CSI's goalkeeper Sara Villacres. The Lions continued their pressure on the offensive end and went into the half up, 2-0, adding one more goal. For the second half of play, the Lions wasted no time in cushioning their lead scoring in the first minute of play as Lexi Verni was deep in the Dolphins box and put one in the back of the net for a 3-0 Lion lead. Less than five minutes later, Molloy would strike again, putting them up, 4-0. CSI would do a better job on the offensive end, taking three shots in the second half and holding Molloy to under double-digit shot attempts. It got interesting in the sixty-second minute of play when the official issued a red card against the Lions goalkeeper Jackie Carty via a denial of goal scoring. A free kick was issued as a result, though, CSI was not able to capitalize. Less than five minutes later, CSI would be rewarded a penalty shot, where Jacquelyn D'Amico would hit the post and roll toward the net before Molloy's goalkeeper jumped on top of it. Molloy would add two more goals late in the second half on their way to a 6-0 victory in which all six goals were scored by different Lion players. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

The Dolphins were outshot, 19-4 (13-1 shots-on-goal), however, CSI did a better job in the second half as three of their four shots came in that final period. Corners were in favor of the Lions, 5-0 as CSI has had trouble earning corners during games this season. As mentioned, a red card was issued to Lion's goalkeeper who exited the game following the card. CSI tallied two yellows in the game. CSI allowed six goals, in what was their second-most allowed goals this season, the first came against a non-conference opponent early in the season.

DOLPHINS OF THE GAME

Today's Dolphin of the game goes to Senior day honoree, Mirsade Pelinkovic, who took one shot in the game accounting for CSI's only shot-on-goal. Dolphins shot leader, Nadia Evola mustered two shots, but both went wide. Dolphin goalkeeper, Sara Villacres, faced 18 shots, saving seven of them. Making several difficult saves along the way, she did her best to slow down a Loins attack that was on the offensive all game long. 


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