MARCY, N.Y. – The SUNYIT Women's Soccer Team (0-1-1) battled the Sage Gators (0-1-1) to a tie on Sunday in the consolation game of the Wildcat Classic. Two overtimes were not enough for the teams to settle their differences, as the final score remained 1-1.
Neither team was able to find the net in the first half. Junior Erica Maisonet (Walkill, N.Y. / Walkill) did her best to lead the SUNYIT defense, spoiling a pretty good through-ball by beating the would-scorer and kicking the ball out of bounds.
On the offensive end, Kristina Strang (Rotterdam, N.Y. / Schalmont) delivered a number of good balls, and was especially consistent with her corner kicks. The Wildcats, however, were unable to take advantage.
Things got going in the second half. The Gators struck first in the 59th minute on a Cassidy Bruen goal. Bruen tracked a slow-rolling pass from Alexis Whalen deep in the SUNYIT penalty box. Bruen would get to the ball just a split-second before oncoming SUNYIT goalkeeper Angela Bartlett (West Winfield, N.Y. / Mount Markham). The sophomore striker made a sliding touch that just beat Bartlett, rolling the low-angle shot to the far corner of the net.
The Wildcats would answer quickly, as four minutes later Strang drew a foul just outside the top-center of the penalty box. On the ensuing free kick, the senior let loose a screamer to the top-right corner of the goal, beating the wall and the Gator keeper.
From there neither team would see many chances, as regulation was followed by two defense-dominated overtime periods.
In order to decide final seedings in the four-team tournament, the two squads entered into a penalty-kick shootout, which the Gators would win 3-1. As with all shootouts, however, the match will go down as a tie on each team's schedule.
The Wildcats will take on their first conference opponent of the year next, as they welcome first-year NEAC member Penn College. The game, which is at home, is scheduled for this coming Saturday, September 6th, at noon.