NEW PALTZ, NY- The SUNY New Paltz women’s soccer team dominated the visiting Raptors from Bard, Thursday evening on the Turf Field by the score of 1-0. Samantha Abravanel (Islip/Islip) scored her fifth goal of the season and Brittany Bennett (Smithtown/Smithtown West) tallied her first assist of the year.
The Hawks had the first scoring opportunity in the 24th minute when Sarah Demarzo (Mahopac/Mahopac) played a through ball to Sherri Lajoie (River Edge, NJ/River Dell) who struck the shot just over the cross bar.
After a Bard foul just past midfield, Bennett’s free kick was headed by Shannon Cobb (Poughkeepsie/Arlington) to the right corner, but Lena James made a great save to keep the game scoreless. The Hawks would hold a 6-1 shot advantage in a scoreless first half.
In the second half, the Hawks continue to pressure and dominate the possession. After a turnover by a defender, Emily Buckner (Pine Bush/Pine Bush) sent a cross to the top of the box where Tanja Todoric (Chestnut Ridge/Spring Valley) shot was stopped by the diving James in the 51st minute.
The Hawks pressure and dominance led to their goal in the 67th minute. Bennett dribbled down the left side of the field and struck a shot that hit the bottom of the cross bar. Abravanel gathered the rebound and shot from the six yard box was initially saved by James, but Abravanel stayed with the play to put home the rebound of the 1-0 advantage.
The Raptors had an opportunity in the 74th minute when Kim Larie shot from 40 yards out sailed just left of the post. Bard nearly tied the contest with three minutes remaining when Danielle Gura (Oceanside/Oceanside) came out to punch the ball away and was taken out by a group of players. The ball was gathered by Abby de Uriarte whose shot sailed wide left of the wide open goal.
Lena James recorded the loss in net, stopping 13 shots. Bard falls to 8-5-4 overall.
Danielle Gura earned her second shutout of the year. The Hawks finish the season with a 5-8-5 overall record.
