In a game that the College of Staten Island women’s soccer team statistically dominated, the Dolphins were able to muster up an improbable goal, to take a 1-0 winner over City College of New York as part of CUNYAC play at the CSI Soccer Complex this afternoon in the cold and rain.  The Dolphins improved to 6-5-1 overall and a perfect 5-0 in the CUNYAC, while the Beavers fell to 7-3, 1-2, respectively.

Without NCAA leading goal-scorer Yanique Newman in their arsenal, the visiting Beavers were challenged offensively, and CSI took advantage by controlling most of possessions and most of the chances from in close.  Despite that, CSI was still unable to really put forward a single great chance as many of their shots were of low percentage and a few other would-be crosses and sets in front of goal were spoiled by the CCNY defensive line and keeper Emily Ramos.  The visiting keeper made five stops in net in the opening stanza, and at the break the score was 0-0.

In the second half, CSI did amp up the pressure, working feverishly to garner a legitimate scoring opportunity.  Still, the chances were few and far between until the Dolphins caught an enormous break with inside of 30 minutes remaining.  After a scramble for possession, senior Melissa Gelardi uncorked a shot from about 25 yards away.  Ramos positioned under the ball and was in place to make a relatively easy save, but the wet ball dripped through her gloves and fell to her feet.  CSI’s Danielle Smith tried to punch the ball in but couldn’t, but as it turned out Gelardi’s shot had already gone in passed the goal line when it originally got away from Ramos, and the Dolphins were handed a 1-0 lead.

From there, the Dolphins were stout in the back, and the Beavers struggled to put forward a consistent attack.  With most of the play concentrated in CCNY’s end, CSI keeper Victoria Donegan never needed to make a save in the shutout, and the 1-0 lead held until the final.  CSI finished with a 19-1 edge in shots (10-0 on goal) and led the corner kick count, 5-4.  

The win for the Dolphins was their 23rd straight in the CUNYAC regular season, dating back to 2010.  It was also the Dolphins third-straight win over the Beavers, and CSI improved to 21-2-1 all-time against CCNY, with a 13-0-1 record at home.

Next up for CSI will be a home date against St. Joseph’s College (LI) at 4:00pm on Tuesday, October 14.