Women's Soccer Remain Undefeated

Paul Smiths, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College women's soccer team continued it's hot start, staying undefeated throughout the first 5 games of the season.  After tying both games in Vermont the first weekend in September, the team has won two straight, and look to continue their winning ways when they enter league play this weekend.

The Bobcats traveled to Northern Vermont September 3^rd and 4^th, playing NCAA Division III schools NVU Lyndon and NVU Johnson, respectively.  On Saturday, the Bobcats went up 2-0 with Hayleigh Gates (West Winfield, NY) collecting the brace.  Samantha Severing (Livingston Manor, NY) collected a solo assist.  NVU Lyndon stormed back late in the game, with goals in the 66^th and 84^th minutes from Riann Fortin and Maachah Krull.  The Bobcats dominated play, outshooting the Hornets 25-5. 

The next day in Johnson, VT was more evenly matched, as the host NVU Johnson Badgers were able to contain the deadly offense of the visiting Bobcats.  Hayleigh Gates scored her 3^rd goal of the weekend at 15:31 with the assist going to Grace Kronick (Cheshire, MA), but that was all the Bobcats could muster.  Payton Fairchild evened the score at 1-1 at the 38^th minute, and the game stayed locked from there.  It was a rough game for both teams, with the Badgers receiving 2 yellow cards.  Both teams had 8 fouls on the day.  Goalkeeper Anna Thrasher (Leonia, NJ) played strong in net with 11 saves on 12 shots. 

Paul Smith's College visited USCAA Division I school Bryant & Stratton Albany on September 7^th, proving to the conference that they have what it takes to play up against bigger schools.  Samantha Severing scored a natural hat-trick (3 successive goals) all in the first half, at the 3, 5, and 31 minute marks.  The impressive performance by the sophomore earned her a nomination for the USCAA Athlete of the Week.  Grace Kronick again collected the lone assist for the Bobcats.  Bryant and Stratton would get one back before the half, but goalkeeper Anna Thrasher would shut the door in the second, aided by stellar defensive play from Jamey Roy (Anchorage, AK), Keeley VanValkenburgh (Gilboa, NY), and Maddy Jackson (New Bern, NC).  The final score at the end of regulation was 3-1.

This past Sunday, the Bobcats hosted visiting Hampshire College, showcasing an absolutely dominating pace and style of play.  Savannah Beachy (North Bangor, NY) led the way with 3 goals, while Sam Severing, Danielle Lockwood (Cape May Court House, NJ), Madison Reardon (Saranac Lake, NY), Ashley Carli (Leroy, NY), and Katrien Roefs (Bainbridge, NY) all added single goals.  Senior midfielder Ruth Marscham (Parramatta, NSW, Australia) and Ashley Carli both contributed 2 helpers while Roefs and Severing added solo assists. 

Coach Bailey Walton had the following to say about the stretch of recent games.  "We're young and we're still learning how to combine and play our best as a whole, instead of as a group of individuals.  To play 4 games in 8 days isn't easy, but I am incredibly proud of our team's efforts.  We're getting better each game." 

The Paul Smith's College women's soccer team hosts NHTI this Saturday, September 17^th at the PSC soccer field at 12pm noon for their league opener.  Come out and watch the Bobcats face off against the visiting Lynx!