ROCHESTER, N.Y. – D'Youville's season ended Wednesday with a 2-0 loss to Roberts Wesleyan in the first round of the ECC playoffs, as the Saints battled to the final whistle behind a 10-save performance from goalkeeper Alegra Black. D'Youville finishes the year 5-9-2 overall and 3-4-0 in conference play.
Black kept the Saints in it early, making six first-half saves as D'Youville withstood extended pressure and worked through several shot-and-corner sequences without conceding. The Saints created their best early look at 2:51, when Carsyn Corydon put a shot on goal that was saved. Roberts Wesleyan (8-3-6, 2-2-2) broke through at 17:33, when Nevaeh Bunch scored off an Ileana Cheruiyot assist, but D'Youville answered with a strong close to the half, defending three shots on goal after the 36:25 mark to head into the break trailing 1-0.
Roberts Wesleyan extended its lead in the 55th minute, when Sam Cipolla scored off an Olivia Holet assist, but the Saints kept pushing. Black made four more saves in the second half, Gabrielle Giesing forced a save, and D'Youville earned two late corner kicks. Lainey Pruzinsky sent a shot wide in the final minute as the Saints searched for a way back into the match.
D'Youville was outshot 20-6 overall, with Giesing, Emily Stefik and Corydon each putting a shot on goal. Black finished with 10 saves over 90 minutes, six in the first half and four in the second.
Wednesday's match was also a farewell for five Saints seniors: #4 Chandra Philips, #7 Makaylah Higgins, #20 Harper Stull, #21 Ella Hurle and #22 Olivia Paterniti. D'Youville thanks the group for their dedication to the program and the impact they leave behind
