The College of Staten Island women’s soccer team came from behind twice, using a late second half surge to score a 4-2 non-conference win over visiting College of St. Elizabeth earlier today at the CSI Soccer Complex. A three-goal span in just over nine minutes did the honors for CSI, which improved to 8-3 overall and a perfect 6-0 at home. The Screaming Eagles fell to 3-11 overall.
The Dolphins earned a 20-3 shot advantage in the game, but it was the visitors that broke the game open and had CSI on their back heels for most of the contest, creating some anxious moments. CSI got off a couple of early shots that were turned away by CSE keeper Catherine De La Cruz, but then the screaming Eagles broke loose, as Christine Rios launched a long lead pass from the right of goal that Dina Toledo put in past CSI keeper Valerie Incontrera, giving her team a 1-0 lead on what would be its only shot of the frame at 13:11.
The lead, however, was short-lived, as CSI responded with an equalizer just 2:01 later. Natalie Tombasco entered the visitor’s box and chipped a short pass over to Melissa Gelardi, who blasted a short-range shot in to knot the game at 1-1. CSI would get off the final four shots of the stanza, but only one was on goal as the score stayed tied at intermission.
Although CSI did dominate possession in the first half, the start of the second was all St. Elizabeth, as they pressed immediately for a goal at 46:30, when Amy Rowe’s corner kick found the waiting leg of Valerie Lasko, who put CSE on top again by a goal, 2-1.
Despite a frenzied counterattack, the Dolphins were unable to signal in a goal despite seven shots in the first 30 minutes of the second frame. Finally, after a feverish attack, Paige Buono tallied the tying goal at 75:05. Demi-Jean Martorano entered into the CSE box quickly, and after drawing the goalie close, Martorano flicked a pass to Buono to find the back of the net.
With momentum, CSI was able to overcome after all. Constantly pressing, the Dolphins broke through again with just 7:02 remaining. This time it was Martorano herself, who launched her 15th goal of the season and her fifth game-winner, on a high ball that tucked in just inside the crossbar off of a Nicole Quattrocchi pass. Forced to attack, CSE surrendered a fourth goal less than two minutes later, as Natalie Tombasco was able to strip away a ball and race in uncontested to the final insurance tally.
CSI finished ahead on shots, 20-3 (12-3 on goal), and held a 6-2 edge in corner kicks attempted. Incontrera made one save for the win, her fourth of the season. CSI is now 6-0 at home for the first time in school history. CSI will next take to the road, travelling to face SUNY-Maritime on Friday evening at 5pm.
