Buffalo, NY - The D'Youville women's soccer team grabbed their first conference win of the season on Wednesday afternoon by defeating the rival Medaille Mavericks 1-0.

Both teams were slow on offense to start the game, but in the 16th minute of play the Spartan's offense became aggressive. The women rattled off four shots in six minutes, led by Marina Campbell (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Catholic) with two. Terra Juda (North Tonawanda, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) and Rachel Hermanski (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) got in on the action with two shots of their own, but no shots were able to get past the Medaille goalkeeper.

With less than a minute remaining in the half, freshman Brittany Cristofanelli (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) tested the Maverick keeper but was unable to beat her as the Spartans and Mavericks headed into the half tied at 0-0.

As they were in the first half, D'Youville was the aggressor on offense. Kiernan Johnson (Cherry Valley, IL/Keith School), Juda and Hermanski all got shots on net, but were still unable to break the scoreless tie. The team had several opportunities late in the game, including corners and shots from the top of the box. Hermanski nearly beat the keeper late one-on-one, but the Medaille goalie made the save.

As the clock wore down to under six minutes, the Spartans stepped up their pressure. Campbell had two shots on net to go with a pair of corners and a shot by Johnson. However, with 2:03 remaining in the game, D'Youville caught a break as a cross went into the box and deflected off a Maverick defender for a goal. The final two minutes-plus would wind down and the final horn sounded as the Spartans won their first conference game of the season by the final of 1-0.

Sophomore Megan Dulniak (Cheektowaga, NY/Cheektowaga) made her return between the posts after missing several games with an injury and didn't miss a beat, recording her sixth shutout of the season. In front of her, Jenna Tomizzi (Buffalo, NY/Sacred Heart Academy), Kailee Juzdowski (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster), Juda and Hermanski were outstanding as the back four, allowing only four shots to get to Dulniak.

The team's offense was a constant headache for the Mavericks. Campbell led the way with five shots on goal, followed by Hermanski and Juda with three each. Johnson, Campbell and Hermanski each had two shots on goal. Magan Magee (Ellenburg Center, NY/Northern Adirondack) added two shots. D'Youville outshot Medaille 17-8.

In the midfield, Emily Carias (Eden, NY/Eden), Cristofanelli and Rebecca Sliwowski (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls) helped control the ball and flow of play. Breanne Nelson (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia-Mumford), McKayla Conine (Livonia, NY/Livonia) and Jordyn Riedel (Marilla, NY/Iroquois) all played pivotal roles off the bench for the team.

D'Youville will host their next game on Saturday, October 8th at 1pm against the Mount Aloysius Mounties.