Lady Bobcats Finish Season at USCAA Nationals

Caraopolis, PA ~ The Paul Smith's College women's soccer team hasn't lost a game in regulation or overtime since early October.  The last seven games of their season resulted in three wins in regulation, one win in overtime, one win in penalties, and two losses in penalties.  To put it simply, they have been on a close-game rollercoaster.  But because of the time and place of their penalty kick losses, the Lady Bobcats' season ended at the 2024 United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Women's Division II Soccer National Tournament.

Their first matchup on November 14th at nationals was a loss in penalties to the #1 team in the nation, Southwestern Adventist.  After 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Knights took advantage of their shooting prowess and advanced 3-1 on penalty kicks.  The next day, the Bobcats wouldn't let the game get to penatlies.

In the 100th minute, after a beautiful punt from goalkeeper Peyton Hoffman (Ilion, NY), senior forward Hayleigh Gates (West Winfield, NY) scored what was probably her most emotional goal of her collegiate career; it would also be her last.

Gates collected the ball after the towering punt from Hoffman bounced over the Christendom back line and turned on the jets toward goal.  With defenders chasing her, she took one look up and noticed the Christendom keeper out of her net.  One deft touch sent the ball sailing over the keeper, who managed to just get her fingertips on it.  The energy at the field crescendoed as the ball then trickled into the back of the Crusader net.  

Gates collapsed in both shock and excitement, her teammates on the field swarming around her as the Bobcat bench ran out onto the pitch in jubilation, screaming in triumph.

"Scoring that goal made all our efforts finally pay off," said Gates.  "We were so close the entire game, dominating both halves, but we just couldn't find the back of the net.  Our defense and Peyton were remarkable, and our midfield never stopped hustling," recalled Gates after the OT win.

The 1-0 win against Christendom kept the Bobcats' hopes of advancing to the national championship game alive.  All they needed was a one goal victory from Christendom over Southwestern Adventist the following day.  After the first half, Christendom was up 1-0, but then, in the second, they scored again, and all of a sudden the Bobcats were cheering for a Southwestern Adventist goal.  That goal never came, but the determination, camaraderie, and solidarity that was felt from the team at that point is something that they will always remember and cherish.

"Every season since I joined the coaching staff, this team has never given up on what they want and this year was no different," said McGinnis.  "Starting the season off strong with winning the Barkeater Cup after 12 years was only the first accomplishment of the season.  We did have some tough losses mid-season but I threw some big changes at the team and we took off running again!"

The Bobcats finish the season at 8-4-3.  On October 12th, after their last regulation loss of the year, they were 4-4.  The marked improvement is something that coach Kelvey McGinnis helped cultivate in a season where she took over for former head coach Bailey Walton.  Athletic Director Zack Luzzi also had a hand in the turnaround, developing a new setup with McGinnis for the Bobcats after the NHTI loss which saw them control more of the midfield as the moved from a 4-4-2 to a 5-4-1 formation.

"I'm convinced my team enjoys going into overtime - it started with our win at home in quarterfinals against UMaine Augusta and continued into three of our four post-season games.  It's been an honor to have witnessed from the sidelines what this team has become and I can't wait to continue to watch the program grow in the future!" added McGinnis.

The team poses after winning the Barkeater Cup for the first time in 12 years.

The team poses at the YSCC Final Four.

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