The College of Staten Island men’s and women’s soccer teams continued to reign in their share of weekly awards, and this week women’s soccer earned a sweep of all three laurels while a CSI frosh took honors on the men’s side as well. Senior Jennifer Cosenza scored Player of the Week honors, while Krystina Rodriguez scored Rookie of the Week and freshman keeper Nicole Mignone earned Defender of the Week. On the men’s side, fellow keeper Jake Foeldes took Defender of the Week honors as well.
The women’s team sported a 2-0 week this week, with an overtime winner over Purchase College and a 2-0 decision against Old Westbury under their belts. Cosenza was the center of it all. On Wednesday against Purchase, Cosenza assisted on the game winning goal, floating a sterling pass in the box to Rodriguez who sailed the ball in from 10 yards out in the game’s 94th minute. Three days later, it was Cosenza who would score the game winner in the second half, tapping home a Rodriguez pass to set CSI with the 1-0 lead that they eventually doubled.
Cosenza now has 9 career markers to her credit, having registered two goals and two assists on the young season.
Rodriguez’s exploits went hand-in-hand with Cosenza’s. Her overtime winner was the second game-winner this season, and the assist on Saturday was her second of the year as well. CSI’s most accomplished early-season offensive threat has now ripped 31 shots this season, leading the team.
The Dolphins also have not allowed a goal this season, and a major reason why is freshman keeper Nicole Mignone, who has now started the season with 361+ minutes of shutout soccer. Mignone made six saves in the two wins this past week, but more importantly has been her aggressive play in the box, interrupting would-be scoring opportunities with her superb positioning. She now has three solo shutouts on the year and one shared.
To finalize the honors, fellow freshman keeper Jake Foeldes was the shining star in the men’s soccer 0-1-1 week. Against No. 6 Rowan University, Foeldes only registered one official save, facing 14 shots, but in the scoreless tie against PSU-Behrend two days later, Foeldes was easily the best player on the pitch, stopping 10 balls, an early-season career high, posting the 110-minute shutout, his second of the season. He now boasts a .857 save percentage and a miniscule 0.64 goals against average.
Both teams are back in action on Wednesday. The CSI women host Lehman College in their CUNYAC opener at 4pm at the CSI Soccer Complex while the men travel to face New Jersey City University at 3pm.
