College of Staten Island women’s soccer tandem Demi-Jean Martorano and Paige Buono tallied hat tricks, as the Dolphins overpowered visiting John Jay College, 8-0, in CUNYAC action at the CSI Soccer Complex. CSI improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in CUNYAC, while the Bloodhounds, playing their first varsity season since 2004, fell to 2-2, 1-2, respectively.
Coming off an 0-2-2 CUNYAC campaign in 2009, the victory for the Dolphins was a refreshing one, as the Dolphins built a 3-0 lead during the game’s first 45 minutes. CSI wasted little time, striking in their first tally just 6:50 into the game on their first shot. Lauren Neglia did the honors, placing her fourth of the season past JJ keeper Marcelina Kopec off of a Natalie Tombasco crossing pass from close range.
With both teams fighting for possession in the midfield and timing their chances, CSI finally struck again and doubled their lead at 21:29. A Michele Kelley pass inside the box to Buono saw Kopec out of position, and all Buono did was punch home the easy goal to make it 2-0. Again, the Bloodhounds dug deep and thwarted CSI efforts, but at the 37:32 mark CSI assumed full control when Martorano fired a rocket from 25 yards out catching part of the crossbar and falling past the goal line to put CSI ahead 3-0 at intermission.
From there, CSI added insurance as the Bloodhounds tried in vain to push forward. Kelley opened up the scoring with a goal of her own at 51:55, and that followed with back-to-back Martorano tallies just 3:10 apart to complete her hat trick. Up 6-0, Buono added the game’s final two goals, the last one on a brilliant takeaway and blazing shot from the right side in the 75th minute.
Making her first collegiate start, CSI’s Danielle McLaughlin earned the win in place of the injured Victoria Donegan in goal, turning back a single shot on goal while intercepting a series of would-be crosses. CSI out-shot the Bloodhounds, 24-6 (14-1 on goal). Martorano led CSI with eight shots while Kopec finished with six saves for the visitors. For CSI it was their second straight shutout and third of the season.
CSI will be back in action on Saturday, when they travel to Randall’s Island to take on defending CUNYAC Champions City College of New York in another CUNYAC test. Game time is set for 2:00 pm.Boxscore