GAME VIDEO – POSTGAME INTERVIEW – The College of Staten Island women’s soccer program had their 2016 home opener today and held a 24-10 edge in shots over Purchase College. The Dolphins would need more than 90 minutes to find their game winner as the game would go into extra time before a winner could be determined at the CSI Soccer Complex. The win bumps the Dolphins up to 2-0-1 overall and drops the Panthers to 0-2 on the year.
It was a defensive bout for the first 45 minutes of the game as neither team was able to fire off a quality chance. The Dolphins rifled off seven shots in the first half with the best chance coming in the 14th minute, when Kaitlin Russo had an opportunity but sent it over the bar. The Dolphins’ back line led by Catherine Mulligan stayed stout and protected freshman goalkeeper Nicole Mignone from any real threats.
Coach Giuseppe Pennetti must’ve gave an inspiring half time speech as the Dolphins came out in the second half reinvigorated. After a sluggish start and only seven shots the Dolphins cannoned off 15 shots in the second half alone, only this time they forced the Purchase goalkeeper to earn her spot. Rachel Mizrahi was forced to make 10 saves in the second half alone, one of which being an absolute rocket from Russo from just outside the 18 yard box.
CSI kept the pressure on as Purchase lacked depth began to grow weary as the game continued on. Despite having tired legs the Panthers were still able to create six opportunities in the second half, with two of them requiring saves from Mignone. With no winner after 90 minutes the teams geared up for extra time with hopes of a quick ending in their favor.
The Dolphins would end up coming out on top after finding a kink of the tired back line of the Panthers. It took just five minutes for the Dolphins to claim the game winner. Cosenza used her speed to get by the outside back and send a low cross in to the back post which found freshman Krystina Rodriguez who hit it just over the keepers head for the game winning goal, the second of her young career.
The women will return to action on Saturday against Old Westbury at 2:00 pm as a tune-up for their CUNYAC opener on Wednesday, September 14 against Lehman College.
