STATEN ISLAND, NY – The College of Staten Island women's soccer team opened conference play earlier today as they hosted the Saints of D'Youville University at Dolphins Soccer Park. After the Saints went ahead by two goals late in the first half, the Dolphins cut the lead to a single goal with over 21 minutes remaining. From there, D'Youville was able to hold off the CSI comeback bid to earn the win, 2-1. The Saints end the day with a record of 3-3-1 and opens play against the ECC with a record of 1-0 against the conference. CSI finishes the afternoon 1-3 overall and begins their conference schedule 0-1 against the ECC.
The Dolphins opened the game with significant attacking pressure in the early minutes as they registered each of the first three shots in the match. Two of the three attempts were on goal, one from in close by Mia Cole. During the next 25 minutes, the Saints evened the shot tally at four per side culminating with the first goal of the match. Hannah Fleming opened the scoring with a goal from an incredibly sharp angle following a failed CSI clearance. Six minutes later, a short goal kick opened the door for a second Saints goal to send the game to halftime, 2-0.
The Dolphins also registered the first three shots of the second half, but none of those found the back of the net. It was following a CSI throw-in that a ball contacted a Saints defender and found Caitlyn Thompson in the box. Off the volley, Thompson sent a powerful shot past D'Youville goalkeeper Alegra Black to cut the Saints lead in half, 2-1. From here, the Dolphins tallied three more shots to the Saints' five, and D'Youville held on for the one-goal victory.
Thompson led the Dolphins in shots with three, and both Mazzy Cirinelli and Isabella Schlee collected multiple shots. Oksana Zahirna finished with five saves against seven shots on goal.
The College of Staten Island women's soccer team (1-3) will break from conference play as they travel upstate for a matchup with St. Michael's College on Wednesday afternoon at 3 PM. CSI Sportsnet will be broadcasting that match live on FloCollege.
GAME REPLAY
