Demi-Jean Martorano registered the lone goal in the 9-1 loss

The College of Staten Island women’s soccer squad was dealt a heavy-handed loss as part of the quarterfinal round of the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament, falling hard to No. 3 Mount Saint Mary College, 9-1, this evening in Newburgh, New York.  The sixth-seeded Dolphins finalized their season with a 12-8 mark, while the Blue Knights improved to 17-3-1 overall and will move on to the semifinals this weekend.

Despite the lop-sided final count, the Dolphins stayed poised and in the game for much of the first half.  Mt. St. Mary got on the board early, when Vanessa DiSilvio scored deep in the goal mouth on a Shanice Robe feeder just 7:25 into the game, beating CSI keeper Samantha Wysokowski, who played the first half in net for CSI, making eight saves.  CSI responded and tied the game at 1-1, when junior and CSI all-time leading scorer Demi-Jean Martorano was given a well-placed ball from Sara Gugliucci from midfield that she struck home, beating MSM keeper Abigail McQuillen.

Unfortunately for CSI, however, the Martorano goal, at 15:16, would prove to be their final shot on goal of the game, as CSI’s others shots fell wide or over the crossbar.  MSM controlled play consistently, but it wasn’t until the 36th minute that the Knights took back the lead.  Melissa Guillemette took a left-side through ball and dribbled into the box, firing what would be the game-winner, at 36:05.  Seizing momentum, MSM scored again just 2:35 later when Robe would score off of a Brigit Burgio leader, making it 3-1 going into intermission.

If the halftime score or the 19-5 edge in shots weren’t convincing enough, the Blue Knights completely dominated the second frame, out-shooting the Dolphins, 22-0 (15-0 on goal).  After Robe scored her second marker to make it 4-1, MSM then thrust three goals into the net in a span of 6:17 to take a 7-1 lead with 22 minutes to go.  CSI tried in vain to build offense but fell short.  Meanwhile, the Knights capitalized twice more in the final minutes to seal the deal.

Head Coach John Guagliardo acknowledged the tough loss in stride.  “We just couldn’t stay with their speed tonight and the wheels came off a bit after we hung tough,” he said.  “We have a way to go, but this is a good indication that we need to work harder to get better.”

MSM finished the game ahead in shots, 41-5 (28-1 on goal), and had five corners to CSI’s one.  The knights where also whistled for 9 offsides calls.

For CSI, the ECAC Postseason berth was the third in team history, with the Dolphins still looking for their first non-CUNYAC postseason win.  The team’s 12 wins this season are the second most in team history.