The College of Staten Island women’s soccer squad improved to 3-0-1 on the young season and ran their shutout streak to 370 minutes, surging past SUNY-Old Westbury, 2-0, on the road this afternoon as part of non-conference play.  The Panthers fell to 0-2.

Despite the final score, it was the home squad that had the better of chances early in the game, recording the first two shots and holding CSI without one until the 17th minute, when a Krystina Rodriguez drive sailed wide.  From there, CSI did control a majority of possession but the chances were few and far between for both sides, as OW Keeper Jessica Tuckruskye needed only make four saves, while CSI starter Nicole Mignone made none officially in the first stanza.

CSI kept the pressure up in the second half, and although the team was frustrated by not registering a goal, their chances were getting better and better.  After Kaitlin Russo narrowly missed on a rocketed drive and a Rodriguez shot got blocked, CSI finally found what they were looking for in the game’s 53rd minute.

From their defensive line, CSI broke free down the field in a rush and a streaking Jennifer Cosenza was able to drive a pass across to Rodriguez who tallied for the third consecutive game passed Tuckruskye to give CSI the 1-0 edge.

The goal opened play up more as Old Westbury had to press for the equalizer while CSI used their countering rush to set up more chances.  In the 64th minute, the Dolphins seemingly put the game out of reach.  Again in the defensive zone, Natalia Sandor broke out and found an open Krista Anson, who was activated for her first game this afternoon.  The freshman toe-tapped the ball when it landed in the box for her first career goal, giving CSI the huge, 2-0, lead.

From there, it was CSI’s defense that took over, allowing only a pair of shots while CSI continued to pepper the OW zone with chances.  Ultimately, CSI was kept off the scoreboard the rest of the way, and so the 2-0 score stood for the remainder of the contest.

CSI led the final shot count, 27-8 (14-2) on goal, and posted their fourth straight shutout.  

CSI will now be idle until Wednesday, September 14, when they host Lehman College in their CUNYAC opener.  It will be a rematch of last year’s CUNYAC Final, a 2-1 overtime victory.