A breakaway goal with 24 minutes remaining by freshman Keonjah Nugent was the difference, as the College of Staten Island women’s soccer team improved to 3-0 on the season with a defensive, 1-0, winner on the road against Purchase College.  The home Panthers fell to 1-1, and fell to the Dolphins for a third straight year by a single goal.

The Dolphins certainly dictated play, but the game seemed destined for a stalemate the way both defenses were playing.  Nugent got off the game’s first shot 18 minutes into the first half, parried away by PC keeper Amber Yarter.  Just 40 seconds later, Emma Porter uncorked a shot on goal that CSI frosh Maraya Jones, making her first collegiate start, was able to corral.  

From there, CSI’s defense took center stage, as the stout back line did not allow another Purchase shot for the remaining 71 minutes of the game.  Forced to keep the score even, Yarter was up to the task for the home side, making three saves to end the half including one in the final minutes of the frame against Catherine Mulligan, insuring a 0-0 score at the half.

It was more of the same in the second frame.  The Dolphins out-shot the Panthers, 9-0, getting shots from seven different players.  None were more important than Nugent’s in the 66th minute.  The freshman reported into the game at 66:36 for sophomore Nicole Mignone, and her fresh legs paid off just 20 seconds later, when a pass by Natalia Sandor found her in the middle of the field and Nugent was able to push the ball past Yarter to open up the scoring, 1-0.

Perhaps Purchase’s best chance to score came three minutes later via a corner, but the attempt was subdued by a CSI defense that played it’s finest game of the season.

The win for the Dolphins was their eighth straight over Purchase since 2009.  CSI took overtime victories in 2015 & 2016.  CSI’s best start to open a season was when they went 4-0 in 2013.

Nugent’s goal was the first of her collegiate career, while Jones recorded her first victory in her first start.  CSI out-shot Purchase 14-1 (8-1 on goal).  Yarter made seven shots in the loss.

The Dolphins will next be in action on Saturday, September 9, at 12 Noon, against Old Westbury.