Cobleskill, N.Y. — The SUNY Cobleskill women's soccer team battled the Alfred State Pioneers in a SUNYAC match up Saturday afternoon, but the Pioneers' early offensive pressure proved to be the difference as the Fighting Tigers fell 3-1.
Freshman
Brianna Farrell (Hampton Bays, N.Y.) led the Cobleskill attack, netting the Tigers' lone goal in the 59th minute while putting three shots on target. Senior
Kayleigh Bryant (Schenevus, N.Y.) provided the assist on the scoring play, delivering a free kick that Farrell finished past the Pioneers' goalkeeper. Freshman
Avery Dovich (Greenland, N.H.) also tested the opposing goalkeeper with a shot on target in the 44th minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Sammy Fausti (Clayton, Wash.) turned in a busy performance between the posts, recording 13 saves on 16 shots on goal to keep the Tigers within striking distance throughout the contest.
Alfred State held the advantage in most statistical categories, they held a 29-4 advantage in shots, with a 16-4 ratio in shots on goal and a 15-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Alfred State came out aggressively, putting Cobleskill under immediate pressure in the opening minutes. The Pioneers fired five shots in the first seven minutes, placing three on frame and rattling the crossbar once. Fausti came up with several key stops to deny the visitors and keep the Tigers in the match.
The sustained pressure eventually paid off for Alfred State, as the Pioneers broke through in the 20th minute before doubling their advantage just one minute later. Cobleskill headed into the halftime break trailing 2-0.
The Pioneers continued to press coming out of the break, earning a corner kick in the 46th minute that led to a shot off target. The Tigers responded by finding their rhythm in the attacking third and working to generate opportunities of their own.
Cobleskill's persistence paid off in the 59th minute. Bryant delivered a well-placed free kick into the attacking area, where Farrell connected to beat the goalkeeper and cut the deficit to 2-1. The goal gave the Tigers momentum as they looked to find an equalizer and get back into the contest. However, Alfred State continued to threaten in the final third, and after sustained pressure, the Pioneers added an insurance goal in the 87th minute to seal the 3-1 victory.
Up Next:
The Fighting Tigers return to action Wednesday, October 21, traveling to Plattsburgh, N.Y., to take on the Plattsburgh State Cardinals in a SUNYAC match up. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
