Box Score Buffalo, NY – The D'Youville women's soccer team shutout the visiting Franciscan Barons in the first round of the AMCC playoffs on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Barons 2-0.
It took less than two minutes into the game for the Spartans to take the lead from the Barons. A Franciscan defender lost the ball in her feet and it fell right to the feet of Makenna Magee (Ellenburg Center, NY/Northern Adirondack) in front of goal where she blasted home the ball for a 1-0 lead just 1:43 into the game.
With the early lead, D'Youville continued to keep up the pressure and was rewarded in the 6th minute as the elder Magee sister got on the board as well. A Kaylee Heschke (Newfane, NY/Newfane) corner bounced to the top of the box to find Magan Magee (Ellenburg Center, NY/Northern Adirondack). Magee looped a shot over the Franciscan defense and past the goalkeeper to bring the Spartan's lead to 2-0.
An early lead greatly benefited the Spartans with the wind and rain taking over Dobson Field. Neither team had any quality scoring chances throughout the remainder of the first as D'Youville went into halftime leading 2-0.
In the 51st minute, D'Youville nearly added another goal to their lead as the younger Magee sister, Makenna, nearly added her second of the game after beating the keeper on a breakaway, but the shot hit the post to keep it a two-goal game.
Over the final 20 minutes of the game, Franciscan recorded all three shots, but the sensational Megan Dulniak (Cheektowaga, NY/Cheektowaga) made three saves to keep the Barons scoreless. The final horn would sound and D'Youville would win their AMCC quarterfinal game by defeating Franciscan 2-0.
Dulniak made four saves for her seventh shutout of the season, recording a shutout in all six of the team's wins this season. Both Magee sisters came up big on offense with a goal each. Makenna led the team with three shots while Heschke picked up her second assist of the season.
The defense of Dominique Riforgiato (Fredonia, NY/Fredonia), Magee, Isabella Lucania (Webster, NY/Webster-Schroeder), Anna Hayes (Hamburg, NY/Mt. St. Mary's Academy), and Cassandra Brooks (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) allowed no quality scoring chances to reach Dulniak. Ahead of the defense, Margret Leeds (Lockport, NY/Akron), Heschke, and Marina Campbell (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Catholic) were all strong in the midfield to help clear danger away from goal.
Brittany Cristofanelli (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) and Jamiliah McBryde (Buffalo, NY/Erie CC) were strong in getting forward all game for the Spartans. Laurie Poeller (Akron, NY/Akron), Katelyn Eigenbrod (Arcade, NY/Pioneer), and Victoria Mayer (Fairport, NY/Fairport) all played valuable minutes off the bench and helped secure the team's playoff victory.
D'Youville will next travel to the second overall seed on Wednesday afternoon as they play the Mount Aloysius Mounties.
