UTICA, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly Women's Soccer team kicked off their 2022 campaign with a 6-0 non-conference loss against their cross-town rivals the Utica Pioneers (1-0). The season opener marked the SUNY Poly debut for Head Coach Jeff Hallenbeck. The Pioneers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half and never looked back to earn their first win of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Wildcat's back line was tested early by the Pioneers as goalkeeper Katie Bowers made two great saves in the first minutes of the game to keep the score at 0-0. The Pioneers, however, would strike first on a goal from Ro Hernandez at the 7-minute mark, capitalizing on a deflection off the post which bounced in front of the net for a tap-in goal. The Pioneers would continue to control the pace, maintaining possession for the majority of the half which set up a goal from Rory Richard in the 41st minute.
The second half would again prove to be in favor of the Pioneers, scoring four second-half goals to secure the 6-0 victory. The difference in the game proved to be possession time and shots, as the Pioneers would finish the game with 28 shots, and the Wildcats would finish with 3 shots.
NOTABLE STATISTICS:
- Katie Bowers recorded 16 saves for the Wildcats.
- Ro Hernandez and Julianna Beaulieu recorded two goals apiece for the Pioneers.
- Rory Richard and Rylee Lamphere would tack on additional goals for the Pioneers.
- Jacinta Kaminski recorded assists on four of the six Pioneer goals.
- Hannah Shipley recorded the lone shot on goal for the Wildcats.
- First years Callie Wright, Brooke Bush, Danica Karn, Katelynn Truax, and Rylie Fischer all made their collegiate debuts for the Wildcats.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats are back in action on September 3rd as they travel to Pennsylvania to face Clarks Summit (0-0-1). The game is scheduled for a 1:00 PM kick-off. In last year's matchup between the two schools, the Wildcats won the match in a 4-1 victory highlighted by a hat-trick from Kaitlyn Daley.