Jersey City, N.J. – The Le Moyne College women's soccer team earned its first win of the season in a 2-1 victory over Saint Peter's on Sunday. The Dolphins capitalized on two assists from sophomore defender
Giana Cutuli (Mexico, N.Y./Mexico) with goals from sophomore forward
Kaitlyn Gilhooly (Chicopee, Mass./Chicopee Comprehensive) and freshman forward
Emma Sousa (East Longmeadow, Mass./East Longmeadow).
"Really exciting to get that first win, and I'm so proud of this group," said head coach
Taylor Van Fleet. "This win was a long time coming after so much effort and progress being made in training."
Le Moyne (1-5-0)
Starters: McPheron (GK), Brown, Gilhooly, Hatch, Day, McMahon, Cookinham, Vigliotti, Sousa, Cutuli, Eggertsdottir
Saint Peter's (1-3-0)
Starters: Sarris (GK), Pires, Husson, Brunotte, Viggiano, Wessman, Masching, Thodhlana, McLean, Fries, Fraser
Recap:
The 1
st half began with Le Moyne quickly taking control against the Peacocks. In the 6
th minute, Cutuli stepped up to take a corner, playing the ball into the box before the ball eventually found itself back at of the feet of Giana. She played in another, this time finding a cutting Gilhooly, finding the back of the net to give the 'Phins an earl 1-0 lead.
Sousa then extended the lead to 2-0 in the 17
th minute, again assisted by Cutuli off of a corner kick. Saint Peter's attempted to respond but was unable to capitalize on its opportunities, including a shot by Melissa Pires at 25:04 that was saved by junior goalkeeper
Mikayla McPheron (Rome, N.Y./Rome Free Academy). The period concluded with Le Moyne maintaining its 2-0 advantage.
Saint Peter's narrowed the gap early in the 2
nd half with a goal by Elise Viggiano, assisted by Mayla McLean at the 50:19 mark, bringing the score to 2-1. Le Moyne's defense, led by redshirt junior defender
Logan Cookinham (Poland, N.Y./Poland), continued to apply pressure to the forwards of Saint Peter's in response to their goal. Despite constant pressure from Saint Peter's, resulting in multiple corner kicks and shots on goal, Le Moyne maintained its lead. The period concluded with a final score of 2-1 in favor of Le Moyne.
"A whole team effort allowed us to get it done today," said Van Fleet. "We are absolutely looking forward to our next opportunity to get in the win column."
'Phin Highlights:
McPheron recorded six saves in the match, helping secure the win for the Dolphins. Sousa scored the game-winning goal, finding the net with her only shot on target. Gilhooly notched a goal, converting her sole shot on goal. Cutuli contributed with two assists, aiding her teammates in capitalizing on their scoring opportunities. Cookinham and McPheron remain the two 'Phins to play all 540 minutes this season.
What's Next:
In their next game, the Dolphins will host Siena University on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Ted Grant Field. The match is set to begin at 4 P.M.
