Wilmington, DE - The College of Staten Island Women's Soccer Team struggled for shot attempts in today's matchup with the Lightning of Goldey-Beacom College. The Dolphins defense was able to withstand immense pressure from the Lightining through 45 minutes, but Goldey-Beacom would break the game wide open in the second half on their way to a four-goal victory. The Dolphins fall to 0-6-1 with the defeat and the Lightning snap their three-game losing streak to improve to 4-6.
The first half was highlighted by the disparity in the shot totals for the two teams as the Lightning attempted thirteen shots to CSI's zero. Despite the distinct advantage in shots for the Lightning, the Dolphins did not allow a single shot on goal, and at one point did not allow a shot for over fourteen minutes. However, the scoring chances for Goldey-Beacom came in bunches, and they would not be denied following the intermission.
After the halftime break, the Lightning continued to pile on the shots, collecting twenty-six of them without a goal to show for it. That changed in the sixty-first minute when Coll Paulimar scored her first goal of the season to give her team a 1-0 lead. Trailing by just one, the Dolphins would have a tremendous opportunity to get even when Macy Jones-Busch sent a shot over Lightning goalkeeper Nikki Cashin and off of the post. The rebound off the iron found the foot of Jones-Busch once again, but Cashin was able to save the follow-up shot and keep her team ahead. This shot was one of just three shots on goal for the Dolphins, and this chance would be their last while within striking distance. Just moments later, Angela Lee would score on an incredible shot for the first of three Lightning goals in the last fourteen minutes of the match.
The Dolphins would ultimately allow 34 shots in the game while attempting just four of their own, all coming in the second half. Despite this, CSI was still firmly in the game and very easily could have easily registered the equalizer on the attempt by Jones-Busch. Following that attempt, the Lightning quickly added three more goals, the first by Lee, the second by Mariah McQueen, and the third by Alyssa Ruggeri. Paulimar's goal to open the scoring was her first of the season, Lee's was her fourth, McQueen's was her fifth, and Ruggeri's was her seventh. Under the constant pressure of Lightning shot attempts, Sara Villacres made 12 saves for the Dolphins before being relieved by Brianna Dore in the closing minutes.
The Dolphins will next be in action on their home turf this Saturday when they take on the D'Youville University Saints at 11:00 AM.
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