Bobcats Destroy NHTI and Hampshire

Concord, NH & Amherst, MA ~ The Paul Smith's College women's soccer team absolutely dismantled Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) opponents over the weekend, beating NHTI 5-0 and Hampshire 9-0 on the road.  The two wins extend their regular season unbeaten streak to 25 games, something almost unheard of in collegiate soccer.  

On Saturday, the Bobcats tamed the Lynx in Concord, NH as Coach Walton's team totally neutralized the once-powerful YSCC team.  Katrien Roefs (Bainbridge, NY) started her impressive weekend with a goal in the 8th minute assisted by Grace Kronick (Cheshire, MA).  Samantha Severing (Cortland Manor, NY) and Kronick would add solo goals as the Bobcats would take a 3-0 lead going into the half.  Hayleigh Gates (West Winfield, NY) picked up her third goal of the season (assisted by Roefs) before Severing would finish off the scoring in the 80th minute, securing the 5-0 win.

Sunday's game was even more lopsided as Hampshire College was just not up to the elite level that has come to represent Paul Smith's College women's soccer.  The Bobcats buried seven goals before the half, with freshman Micaela Diller (Marlton, NJ) and Roefs each netting two goals (Roefs successfully executed a PK in the 14th minute for the second goal of the game).  Leah Coulombe (Champlain, NY), Haven Bradt (Berea, OH), and Severing all contributed solo goals before the half ended.  Hayleigh Gates made it 8-0 before Vanessa Erkson (Cherry Valley, NY) would score the first goal of her collegiate career to finish the onslaught.  Rhoda Peterson (Havre, MT) Mira Hardman (Sharon, PA), and Gates added solo assists while Grace Kronick and Leah Coulombe added two assists each. 

Freshman goalkeeper Peyton Hoffman secured back-to-back shutout wins, earning United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Goalie of the Week honors in the process. 

"It was a great performance from our team on the road this weekend," remarked head women's soccer coach Bailey Walton.  "The best teams have chemistry on and off the field, and travling to NH and MA this weekend was a great time for us to bond and for our leaders to step up," she added.  "And of course I'm psyched to be coming home with two conference wins!"

The Bobcats host Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Friday in what is sure to be a marquee matchup between two of the best teams in the nation.  According to the USCAA Women's Soccer D2 standings, Paul Smith's College is currently 2nd in the nation while ACPHS occupies the 4th spot.  The game will take place at 5pm at the Paul Smith's College Soccer Field and will be livestreamed at Paul Smith's College on the YSCC Sports Network.

You can follow the women's soccer team on Instagram at @paulsmiths_wsoccer or follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for schedules, scores, updates, and more.

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.