Women's Soccer Opens Season with 1-0 Win over SUNY Poly

Syracuse, N.Y. - Freshman midfielder Zinnia Reese (Gilboa, NY) scored from an outside cross from Amela Racic (Utica, NY) to lead the Bryant & Stratton College Lady Bobcats to a 1-0 victory over Suny Poly in the season opener for the Lady Bobcats on Saturday afternoon at the CNY Family Sports Center.

After a 2-1 loss to Suny Poly last year, the Lady Bobcats set out to redeem themselves at their home field opener. It was a scoreless first half for both the Lady Bobcats and the Lady Wildcats as both teams tried to finish their chances but were unsuccessful. Both, the Lady Bobcats goalkeeper Victoria Herrera (Queens, NY) and the Lady Wildcats goalkeeper Alysia Thomas (Greenville, NY) had key saves for their teams. Victoria Herrera (Queens, NY) finished the game with three saves and had her first shutout of the year.

The Lady Bobcats scored the game’s only goal at the 64:04 mark following a counter attack on the Lady Wildcats. Amela Racic (Utica, NY) took the ball up the outside line and was able to fire in a pass into the box for Zinnia Reese (Gilboa, NY) to one touch and score from the left side. The Lady Bobcats were able to possess the ball for the rest of the second half, ultimately leading them to their first win of the season.

The Lady Bobcats defense lead by senior captains Brooke Laukaitis (Auburn, NY) and Njemile Charles (Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago) were crucial to today's game against the Lady Wildcats. Bryant & Stratton’s defensive line was able to shut out Suny Poly’s top goal scorer Nakeya Stedman (Sauquoit, NY) and not allow the Lady Wildcats to counter on any opportunities.

The Lady Bobcats (1-0-0) will be away this weekend as they face Penn State Hazleton this upcoming Friday at 6:00 p.m and Washington Adventist University on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.