The College of Staten Island women’s soccer team was held winless for the third-straight time since opening up their campaign, falling hard to visiting Rutgers-Newark by a 4-1 count at the CSI Soccer Complex as part of non-conference play. The Dolphins fell to 0-2-1 on the season, while the Scarlet Raiders advanced to a perfect 3-0. The Dolphins also suffered a pair of big losses due to injury in the game, putting a serious damper on what was already a tough loss.
The Raiders dominated the first 15 minutes of the contest, as the Dolphins struggled to get the ball out of their defensive third of the field. A goal would finally come for the Raiders as Sara Ramirez would drive in a low cross from the right side of the field which made its way to the back post where Paige Lazar was standing and was able to cash in on Rutgers’ constant pressure. The Dolphins however, would not let that one goal put them down. Just six minutes later Melissa Gelardi was able to thread a ball through the defense to Samantha Wysokowski who was able to dribble around one defender and rifle off a shot that went upper 90 far post, leveling the score at 1-1.
Just five minutes later, however, Wysokowski, who has scored all three CSI goals this season, had to be taken off of the field due to an apparent knee injury, not to return.
The Raiders would go back to controlling the game as possession once again shifted to their favor. With 21 minutes left the Raiders would threaten again as Julie Dantoni would put in a low cross which Victoria Donegan would miss but Krystal Percaccio was there to safely clear the ball away. Haley Savva would unleash a cannon of shot from 20 yards out with five seconds left that Donegan was able to save as time expired. The Raiders were able to get off 12 shots in the first half compared to just five from the Dolphins (7-2 on goal). Still, the score was even at 1-1 heading into intermission.
Rutgers continued right where they left off in the first half as just two minutes into the second, a through-ball over the top of the defense from Dantoni was able to connect with a streaking Savva who was able to tuck a low shot under Donegan to increase their lead to 2-1. With 39 minutes remaining the Raiders almost scored again however Sara Corson headed a cross over the bar which gave the Dolphins a goal kick.
With 30 minutes remaining Ramirez was able to receive a through ball from Dantoni and then she was able to chip it over Donegan for the third goal of the game. The Raiders came close to scoring once again as Savva broke free and took a shot off the near post. Rutgers kept their foot on the pedal as they were able to add a fourth after Cristina Estremera did a series of cuts to get loose from the defenders and shoot a low shot near post.
After registering a lone scoring chance down 4-1, the Dolphins would never see Rutgers’ side of the field for the remainder of the game. In another frustrating loss, Donegan also left the game shaken up, prompting substitute Kristy Colangelo to finish the contest.
The Dolphins will need to regroup and try to get on the winning side of the ledger on Saturday, September 6, at 12 Noon against non-conference SUNY-Purchase.
