The College of Staten Island women’s soccer team held a statistical 26-5 edge in overall shots, but through 110 minutes the Dolphins earned a 0-0 tie with Norwich University in what was their season opener in Northfield, Vermont this evening.  The Dolphins are 0-0-1 overall this season with the result, while the Cadets moved to 0-1-1.

It was a defensive contest from start to finish; neither team truly controlled momentum through the first 45 minutes although the Dolphins had the numbers in their favor.  With play concentrated on the wings the Dolphins did occupy plenty of time in the Norwich end, but possession inside the 18 was few and far between, and the four saves made by NU keeper Leandra Flores-Nieves were routine.

Still, CSI did have the best chance of the stanza, when just over four minutes in, a long-range strike by Krystina Rodriguez slammed off of the crossbar, saving a goal.

In the second half, CSI had a marked edge in momentum, and it led to increased possession time and chances.  Still Flores-Nieves was up to the task, making eight saves in the stanza, including two against CSI senior Jennifer Cosenza, who had one of CSI’s better second half chances from in close with 15 minutes to play.

This game, however, saw defenders shine most.  The Dolphins allowed just a single shot through the final 65 minutes, and when tested, freshman keeper Nicole Mignone was a force at interrupting crosses and interrupting rushes at the top of her box.

Neither team had a particularly good chance in the overtime.  There were some tenser moments for the Dolphins late in the second overtime, when a few would be crosses by Norwich couldn’t find their intended targets and the Cadets argued a CSI defensive handball in the box with less than a minute to play.  To no avail, neither team could muster a quality chance, as CSI led the official overtime shot count, 3-0.

Flores-Nieves would finish with 13 saves in the shutout, while Mignone posted two in the 110-minute clean sheet in her first collegiate start.  CSI led the corner kick count, 5-4.  There were no bookings in the contest.

The Dolphins, who travelled to the Vermont school this morning will stay put and face off against Johnson State College tomorrow afternoon at 2pm.  Norwich is idle tomorrow, and will take on JSC on Monday.