Box Score Potsdam, NY – Saturday marked the opening day of the 2016 season for the D'Youville women's soccer team and they did not disappoint by defeating the Mount Ida Mustangs in shutout fashion, 2-0.
D'Youville was the aggressor to start the game with three shots on goal to Mount Ida's one. It wasn't before long until the Spartans were able to get one past the Mustang goalkeeper to take the lead.
In the 14th minute, defenseman Breanne Nelson (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia Mumford)scored the team's first goal of the season off a corner kick from Kiernan Johnson (Cherry Valley, IL/Keith School).
Following the goal, the team continued to put pressure on the Mustang's defense with five more shots. None of those shots found their way home for the remainder of the half and the two teams went into halftime with D'Youville leading 1-0.
As the second half began, neither team had threatening scoring chances. It wasn't until the 67thminute when D'Youville doubled their lead with an insurance goal from a familiar face.
Johnson received a ball from Rachel Hermanski (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) and put the ball in the back of the net to give the team a 2-0 lead.
With the lead in hand, the Spartans went on to hold off the charging Mustangs for the remainder of the game, winning their first game in as many chances this season by the score of 2-0.
"Good to get the first win of the season with a shutout," said first year head coach Jim Hesch. "It was a good effort to build off of."
Posting a one-save shutout was sophomore goalkeeper Megan Dulniak (Cheektowaga, NY/Cheektowaga). In front of her was a strong back line of Nelson, Jenna Tomizzi (Buffalo, NY/Sacred Heart Academy), Kailee Juzdowski (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) and Terra Juda (North Tonawanda, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) that helped keep the team out of danger all game. Ariel Wood (Nunda, NY/Keshequa) also played a key role in the midfield.
Freshmen Marina Campbell (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Catholic) and Brittany Cristofanelli (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) led the offensive attack with four and three shots respectively. Hermanski, Johnson, Emily Carias (Eden, NY/Eden) and Magan Magee (Ellenburg Center, NY/Northern Adirondack) each had two shots.
Rebecca Sliwowski (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls), Jordyn Riedel (Marilla, NY/Iroquois) and Rachel McMahan (Grand Island, NY/Sacred Heart Academy) all received their first experiences as collegiate soccer players in the game.
D'Youville advances to the championship game tomorrow, September 4th to play the host Potsdam Bears at 2:30pm.
