Box Score Potsdam, NY – The Potsdam Tournament was crowned a new champion Sunday afternoon as the D'Youville women's soccer team shutout the tournament hosts with a 2-0 final score.
Potsdam was on the attack to start the first half. Goalkeeper Megan Dulniak (Cheektowaga, NY/Cheektowaga) made three saves in a matter of three minutes to keep the game scoreless early in the game. Following the increased attack from the Bears, the D'Youville defense stepped up, allowing only one additional shot on Dulniak in the remaining 20 minutes of the half, keeping the game 0-0 going into halftime.
The Bears were forcing pressure again to begin the half, forcing another save by Dulniak and missing a shot wide. However, the Spartans turned the attack on Potsdam. Terra Juda (North Tonawanda, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) got a shot off that went just wide followed by a shot from Marina Campbell (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Catholic) :26 seconds later that hit the crossbar, but the ball was unable to find the back of the net.
In the 64th minute, fresh legs came in as Magan Magee (Ellenburg Center, NY/Northern Adirondack), Rebecca Sliwowski (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Falls), Jordyn Riedel (Marilla, NY/Iroquois) and Rachel McMahan (Grand Island, NY/Sacred Heart Academy) all entered the game. The substitutes came in at the right time, helping the Spartans break the score.
Following a wide shot from Potsdam, D'Youville put on a counter attack that led to a foul by the Bears. Magee stepped up for the kick just outside the box and sent the ball right past the Potsdam keeper, breaking the scoreless tie.
Just three minutes later, Magee added an insurance goal as she was fed a ball from Breanne Nelson (Caledonia, NY/Caledonia Mumford) past two defenders for the second goal of the game.
The fresh legs of the Spartans were once again helpful as after the second goal, Campbell, Rachel Hermanski (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale), Brittany Cristofanelli (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) and Kiernan Johnson (Cherry Valley, IL/Keith School) all re-entered the game. Four minutes later, Nelson, Juda and Emily Carias (Eden, NY/Eden) came back in to help seal the 2-0 championship victory for the Spartans.
"To get the result the way we did with a great team effort is encouraging for the rest of the season," said head coach Jim Hesch. "Everyone should be proud to be crowned champions. They deserved it."
The team's stout defense once again helped lead them to victory for the second straight day. Dulniak earned her second straight shutout, making all eight saves that came her way. She was named the Tournament MVP.
In front of Dulniak was her back line of Juda, Nelson, Jenna Tomizzi (Buffalo, NY/Sacred Heart Academy) and Kailee Juzdowski (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster). The four, along with central midfielder Ariel Wood (Nunda, NY/Keshequa), allowed only nine shots total on Dulniak this weekend, being the backbone of the team's two wins. Juzdowski was named to the All-Tournament Team for her outstanding performances.
On offense, Magee nabbed both goals to lead the team. Her two shots were tied with Campbell and Cristofanelli for the team lead. Nelson picked up an assist after scoring the team's first goal of the season yesterday.
D'Youville will return to Buffalo tonight and have two days off until their next game on Wednesday, September 7th as they host Thiel for their home opener.
