MARCY, N.Y. - The Wildcat women's soccer team (1-0-0, 0-0-0 NEAC) earned a 2-1 win in their 2017 season opener against Bryant & Stratton. The Wildcats got out to a first 1-0 lead after Ashley O'Connor's unassisted goal. O'Connor would strike again in the second for an insurance goal. The insurance goal was key as the Bobcats of Bryant & Stratton netted a goal of their own late in the second half to bring the game back within one. The Wildcats would hold on to their lead down the stretch to secure an opening day win.
Ashley O'Connor (Remsen, N.Y.) was the difference maker for the Wildcats. The senior transfer had a fantastic first game in blue and gold. O'Connor scored both of the Wildcats goals. Her first goal was an unassisted beauty placed high over the outstretched arms of the Bobcat goalie. Her second goal came late in the second half to give the Cats' a two-goal lead. Sophomore Meral Evke (New Hartford, N.Y.) was the facilitator on the second goal of the game. Evke started the scoring opportunity with a nice through ball that found the foot of O'Connor who made the most of the opportunity, sealing the win for SUNY Poly. The assist was Evkes fourth of her career.
The Wildcats were the more aggressive team in the game taking 17 shots to the Bobcats 10. Wildcat goalie Angela Bartlett (West Winfield, N.Y.) made three saves in goal and had a number of great defensive plays. Bartlett earned her first win of the season, bringing her career total to 34.
Jeanille Lawrence scored the Bobcats lone goal off a great assist by Janet Madrid. Madrid got the play started by taking the ball out of the defensive zone and pushing it forward to Lawrence who had gotten in behind the defense. Lawrence made her way towards the goal and drove a hard grounder into the back of the net.
NEXT UP: The Wildcats will be back on the pitch on Wednesday when they will travel across town to take on local rival Utica College at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 6:00 PM start. Live video and statistics will be available for the game. The links are available on the Wildcat's schedule page.
