DELHI and COBLESKILL, NY
UMPI Women's Soccer took the long trip to New York this weekend, first taking on the Broncos at SUNY Delhi. Unfortunately for the Owls, they couldn't get much going in the Saturday afternoon game, but bounced back on Sunday, grinding out a comeback victory over SUNY Cobleskill.
Saturday: 4-0 Broncos
How it Happened:
The Owls kept the Broncos scoreless until the 20th minute, when Delhi scored to go up 1-0. Shortly after that, two shots on goal in a row by Ella McCarthy and Camryn Ala threatened for UMPI to tie it but back to back saves kept the Owls out of the net. In the 33rd minute, Delhi scored another to go up 2-0, and then once more before the half to lead 3-0. In the second half it was tough sledding again for the Owls, as they couldn't string opportunities together. Delhi put up more shots in the second half but UMPI only surrendered one—in the 68th minute to make it 4-0 as the game finished with that score.
Top Performers:
Michaela Carney set a single game record in the NAC this season for saves. Carney stopped 24 Broncos shots while allowing four. She had already set this record once before this season with 19 against Lesley on September 21st, but now reclaims it. Camryn Ala and Ella McCarthy had the previously mentioned two shots on goal, while Kamryn Clavette had the only other shot for UMPI.
Sunday: 3-1 Owls
How it Happened:
Despite the unfavorable score the day before, UMPI got right back in the saddle the next day, in hopes to end their New York trip on a good note. Though it didn't start out optimistically. The Fighting Tigers of Cobleskill scored more quickly than Delhi did the day before—a lot more quickly. They got on the board in the 4th minute meaning UMPI would have to come from behind again. Through the next 18 minutes or so, UMPI would have a couple of corner kicks but none of the chances were good enough to get a shot off.
Eventually, in the 22nd minute, coming out of some midfield chaos and jostling for possession, Camryn Ala broke the ball free from the mob. Kamryn Clavette ran after it for UMPI which prompted Cobleskill's keeper, Samantha Fausti way off her line to try and get to the ball first. She did get there first but cleared it right to Isabelle Allen running on from the right wing. Cobleskill scrambled to get back and cover the empty net. Allen fired an urgent shot right towards the goal, and Kamryn Clavette got their to clean it up for UMPI, tying the game in a chaotic way. The Owls were relieved to make it a new game and now had some momentum at their backs.
That's the way the first half would end, tied at one goal apiece, despite Cobleskill out-shooting UMPI 10-2 in the half.
In the second half, it remained tied for a while, until UMPI was able to earn a corner kick in the 63rd minute. Abby Doughty, who does most of the free kick duties for the Owls, took it from the left corner. Her kick bent perfectly back towards the goal line as Fausti jumped to try and get a piece of it. It kept curling and hit a defender behind Fausti standing on the goal line as it kept trending towards the net. The officials ruled that it went over the goal-plane, making it a 2-1 game.
The Owls celebrated while the Tigers looked stunned. Doughty's kick was perfect and gave UMPI a 2-1 lead. They'd hold on to the lead down the stretch but not without Cobleskill testing them again and again with several shots and key saves. Three saves by Michaela Carney over the next four minutes kept the Owls in front.
With just under two minutes to go, the Owls earned a penalty kick and had a golden opportunity to ice the game. Senior Camryn Ala stepped up, and drilled the shot low left, to seal a big UMPI victory 3-1.
Top Performers:
To sum up, the three goal scorers were Kamryn Clavette, Abby Doughty, and Camryn Ala, with Isabelle Allen picking up the assist on Clavettes goal in the first half. UMPI had just seven shots all day, as Madison Bridges was the only other player with one. Four of them were on Target, and UMPI finished on three of the four. Michaela Carney had another big day in net for UMPI, saving seven shots, all of them in pressure situations as UMPI came from behind for the win.
Next Up:
The Owls improve to 2-5 in conference play and now have just two games remaining on their schedule. A matchup with Maine Maritime next Saturday afternoon in Castine, Maine, and then Senior Day back at home hosting Thomas College on October 25th.
