Postgame Interviews – The College of Staten Island women’s soccer team capitalized on a first-half goal and then shut the door defensively, surviving a 1-0 win over Brooklyn College as part of the City University of New York Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament Semifinals in Brooklyn, NY. The Dolphins improved to 12-4-1 overall, and will now face Lehman College on Saturday at 2:00pm for the CUNYAC Championship. The Bulldogs finalized their season at 5-11-2.

After a 0-0 double-overtime stalemate during the regular season, it figured to be a defensive contest yet again, and the two parties went back and forth, often times frustrated when faced with stout back lines that surrendered very little. CSI posted more of the possession in the first half, often times keeping Brooklyn pinned in their own end and limiting the Bulldogs to a few sporadic runs. Despite the edge in play, CSI could not get in close. In fact, it wasn’t until the 20th minute until the first shot was fired by Lauren Smith, with BC keeper Rebecca Harmata making a routine stop.

A minute later, however, CSI capitalized on the golden moment it needed. At 21:25, Senda Karagozler sent a sprawling cross into the box. Samantha Wysokowski seemed to get a toe on the ball, enough for it to find the waiting boot of Danielle Alexandrini, who stepped in from close range and put a bouncing ball past Harmata. Neither team would register another shot in half, and CSI went into intermission, 1-0.

In the second half, a resolved Bulldogs team focused on creating more offense, and the Dolphins were just as focused defensively, turning back a feverish attack while adding to the offensive mix themselves. Still, both teams shined defensively, and what little did trickle in on goal were defensed nicely by Harmata and CSI keeper Kristy Colangelo.

With time winding down, CSI almost put the game away when a launching shot from Samantha Wysokowski from just outside the goal box sent Harmata airborne at the ball hit off of the top of the crossbar, keeping the game 1-0. A frantic Brooklyn managed a pair of shots in the closing moments. First Colangelo turned back a Leslie Gomez shot with 6:17 to go and with just 2:45 left, Colangelo was able to get on top of a bouncer from Jordan Kerwin. Colangelo’s third save was her last, as CSI poured numbers in the back to insure a 1-0 close to the game.

CSI led the final shot count, 6-3 (4-3 on goal), and held a big, 6-0, edge in corner kicks. Smith and Alexandrini led the team in shots with two each. With the three-save performance, Colangelo earned her 10th shutout of the season.

The Dolphins improved to 6-0 all-time in CUNYAC Semifinal games and with the win advanced to their 11th CUNYAC Final appearance. The team is 5-4-1 in Final games. CSI will face top-seeded Lehman in the Final, a 5-0 winner over John Jay College in the other semifinal played today. Lehman defeated CSI during the regular season, 5-1. The Dolphins defeated the Lightning in last year’s semifinal round, 5-0.

The Final will be played at Brooklyn College at 2pm on Saturday. Following the game, the men’s final will be played, with top-seeded CSI taking on City College of New York with an anticipated start time of 4:30pm. Fans will need a ticket for entry but tickets are free and are available HERE.