The College of Staten Island women’s soccer team rallied in the second half to score a 2-1 win over Lehman College as part of CUNYAC play at the CSI Soccer Complex this afternoon. The Dolphins improved their record to 3-3-1 overall and 2-0 in the CUNYAC while Lehman Dropped to 4-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the CUNYAC.
The Dolphins had a few good chances to score early on as crosses were coming in from the left side but were unable to capitalize. CSI had a great chance just 11 minutes into the game when Melissa Gelardi sent in a surging cross that found Danielle Alexandrini at the back post where she volleyed it one time and LC keeper Stephanie Gonzalez made an outstanding save to keep the game scoreless.
Lehman finally got their first shot of the game with 10 minutes remaining in the first half but Victoria Donegan was able to make the easy save. The Dolphins controlled the tempo of the game and played the way they felt most comfortable, but the wind was a factor as some of their through balls over the top were slowed down and unable to reach their destination.
At the half the score was tied 0-0 with the Dolphins having more shots as they recorded 11 shots with five of them making the keeper work. Gelardi led the charge with four shots with two of them finding their mark.
The Lightning came out in the second half with a vengeance as they were able to score just eight minutes into the second half when Juliana Generoso sent in a low cross that Donegan misplayed and Lillian Barreto was gifted with an easy tap in to put Lehman up 1-0.
The Dolphins came close to evening the score when Gelardi sent a long free kick which found Kristy Colangelo who shot one just wide of the net moments later.
After a formation change from a 4-5-1 to a 3-4-3 the Dolphins were able to tie it up 1-1 after Gelardi sent in a beautiful cross from a corner kick which found the head of Gabriela Romero where she was able to power home the header for her second goal of the year with just over 20 minutes remaining in the game.
CSI pressed on for a winner and Danielle Alexandrini scored it with just five minutes remaining in the game when she was able to take on and beat a defender one-on-one and rifle a shot far post under Gonzalez’s arm to put the Dolphins in the lead 2-1.
The Dolphins led the overall shot count, 19-6 (9-4 on goal), and earned nine corner kicks to Lehman’s one. Donegan made three saves in the 90-minute win, while Gonzalez made seven stops for Lehman. Gelardi led all players with six total shots, two on goal.
The women are back in action on Tuesday, September 23, where they will hit the road for the first time this season and take to the pitch against York College.
