Staten Island, NY | After coming off of a disappointing end to their 2014 campaign the Dolphins came back stronger than ever and demonstrated that they will not be denied a CUNYAC title in 2015. The Dolphins opened their 2015 season against the Gothic Knights of New Jersey City University and walked away with a well-deserved 4-0 victory at the CSI Soccer Complex.
NJCU (0-1-0, 0-0-0 NJAC) led the all-time series between these two teams at 7-3-2 however, the Dolphins are slowing closing that gap as just last year they tied 1-1 in double overtime and had a convincing victory this year. Cassie Lubonski played all 90 minutes in this afternoon’s contest and was tested early and often as she had to face 17 (12) shots. NJCU started off slow as they were only able to post one shot in the first half. They made some opportunities in the second half as they were able to rifle off four more shots for a total of five on the day but were unable to find the back of the net. NJCU dropped to 0-1-0 overall.
Staten Island (1-0-0, 0-0-0 CUNYAC) showed promise under new head coach Giuseppe Pennetti. Their fierce attack was on display this afternoon and it only took 10:45 to find their way onto the scoreboard. Senda Karagozler used her blazing speed to speed by a defender on the right wing then whipped in a low cross to the attacking Kathryn Dowling for an easy tap it for her first goal of the season. The Dolphins kept the pressure on in the first half but were unable to convert anymore chances and were able to hold the ball from the visiting Gothic Knights and limit their attacking chances.
The second half was all downhill for the Gothic Knights as their legs seemed to get heavy on defense and were unable to keep up with the constant attack from the Dolphins. Once again it didn’t take long for the Dolphins to find the back of the net as Samantha Wysokowski slotted one through to Danielle Alexandrini who found herself one-on-one with the keeper and beat her left side as she was able to tuck it under the diving Lubonski.
Alexandrini would once again find the back of the net on a beautiful curling shot from the right side of the box over the keepers head into the left post and into the goal to give the Dolphins a demanding 3-0 lead. It wouldn’t take long for the Dolphins to find their fourth tally of the match when newcomer Lauren Smith received a low cross from Alexandrini and tucked it into the bottom right corner for the final goal of the game.
There were three yellow cards issued in this game, two for the Gothic Knights (33:53 #8 Daniela Betancourth, 89:16 #2 Madison Castellanos) and one for the Dolphins (50:30 #12 Alexandrini). The women had four of their attacks thwarted due to being offside whereas the Gothic Knights were only called for one offside.
CSI bested NJCU in corner kicks as the Gothic Knights only managed two while the Dolphins had 9. Kristy Colangelo didn’t have much work to do today as she only faced five shots two of which she was forced to take action.
The Dolphins are back in action this Labor Day weekend in the annual CSI Fall Classic when they take on Sussex County CC at 12:00 pm on Saturday and Old Westbury on Sunday at 12:00 pm.
