Newport News, VA | The College of Staten Island women’s soccer program took a step forward last year when they scored their first goal as part of NCAA Postseason Tournament competition. The Dolphins doubled the effort today but they were overwhelmed by No. 11 Christopher Newport University as part of opening round play, falling by a score of 10-1. The Captains won for the 13th-straight time, improving to 18-1 overall, while the Dolphins’ season is over at 12-7.
The Captains made their presence felt early and often in this one, and scored the first and game-winning goals in the first five minutes of the contest. After missing on their first attempt, Maddie Cochran got CNU on the board in the second minute, side-stepping the defense and then firing a low liner into goal past CSI keeper Kaila DeBenedetto to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Just inside of five minutes into the period, Maxine Borris scored her first goal of the season, getting a long ball pass from Cochran and then popping the ball in for the 2-0 lead, what proved to be the game winner.
Before CSI could get on the board, the Captains would score twice more. First, in the 11th-minute, Keiley McCarthy was able to head one home on a Sabrina Gillis corner kick, and then, at 27:01, Holly Jacobson scored her first of the year on a 30-yard free kick.
Right after play resumed, CSI was able to gain control in the midfield, and Natalia Sandor skied a long ball into the box where Samantha LaValle was waiting. The sophomore drilled a shot into the low right-hand corner to make it 4-1 just 32 seconds after Jacobson’s goal.
The game went into intermission with the same score, but in the second frame, CNU resumed their dominance. Riley Cook scored her 22nd of the season just six minutes into the second half and five minutes later, CNU made it 6-1 on a goal from Kristina Toms.
Jacobson then registered a hat-trick by scoring another pair of goals and the Captains poured it on.
By the time the dust settled, CNU finished with a 41-2 edge in shots (27-1 on goal), forcing DiBenedetto to make 14 saves. CNU led the corner count, 10-0.
Despite the lop-sided finish, CSI made great strides in 2018, scoring their fourth-straight CUNYAC title last weekend, their 10th overall since 2004.