SAINTS TIE PLATTSBURGH 0-0; EARN CARDINAL CLASSIC CROWN AFTER WINNING 4-3 IN SHOOTOUT

Sept. 6: Last weekend, the St. Lawrence University women’s soccer team won the 2008 Lotto Classic after an exciting 3-2 come-from-behind win over Wilkes University.  This weekend, the team proved that game was only the beginning of what would prove to be an exciting trend in their 2008 campaign.

The Saints tied SUNY Plattsburgh 0-0 after 110 grueling minutes of play on Saturday night under the lights in Plattsburgh, NY, but the visiting squad defeated their hosts 4-3 in penalty kicks, earning the coveted Cardinal Classic Tournament title.

Both SUNY Plattsburgh and St. Lawrence move to 3-0-1 marks following the contest.

The Saints, who lost to Plattsburgh 3-1 last season in the opening round of the 2007 Classic, were unable to break through a tough Cardinal defense in the first half as the Scarlet and Brown didn’t take a shot on Plattsburgh’s net in the first 45 minutes of play.  The host team had four shots in the period, with Saints’ rookie keeper Abby van Geldern (Rowayton, CT/Brien McMahon) making the save to insure both teams were scoreless heading into the half.

The second half saw both teams try tirelessly to get on the scoreboard, but found it impossible as each squad kept possible opportunities for the other to a minimum.  Plattsburgh targeted the Saints’ goal in the opening minutes of the period, peppering van Geldern with shots which she was able to keep from going into the back of the net.  St. Lawrence’s time to shine would come, as they found holes in the Cardinals’ defense and fired six shots, all on goal, in the final 25 minutes of regulation.  The period ended the same as the first, forcing both teams into overtime.

Overtime belonged to van Geldern, who protected the space behind her with everything she had left, as the keeper had three critical saves to maintain the tie and force the game into penalty kicks.

Plattsburgh’s Helen Giroux made their first penalty kick, as Saints’ sophomore Nicky Hynes took the next shot for the Saints, which was saved by Plattsburgh keeper Jackie Horgan.  Cardinal Liz Radigan made another to give the home team a 2-0 edge, while junior midfielder Becca Townsend (Stockton, NJ/North Hunterdon H.S.) made it for the Saints, making it 2-1.

Van Geldern saved Plattsburgh’s next two while senior midfielder and co-captain Lauren Sischo (Rodman, NY/South Jefferson) and rookies Marcelle Justison (Oakland, CA/Bishop O-Dowd) got the ball past Horgan to jump ahead 3-2.  Cardinal Lindsay Gilbert made Plattsburgh’s final penalty kick, leaving it up to sophomore back Katie Oram (Melvin Village, NH/Holderness) to make the game-winning shot for the Saints, who fired a shot past the keeper to earn the much-deserved win for St. Lawrence.

Townsend was named the offensive MVP of the tournament, while van Geldern and Sischo also earned All-Tournament honors.

Rookie midfielder Elena Rogers (Naugatuck, CT/Stratton Mountain School), who was named Liberty League Co-Rookie of the Week this past week after assisting all three goals in the Saints’ 3-2 win over Wilkes on Sunday, led the Saints offense with two shots on goal, while Sischo and Justison, along with sophomore forward Lizzie Bogosian (Manlius, NY/Loomis Chaffee), and first-year Kristina Peso (Niagara on the Lake, ONT/Holy Cross Catholic Secondary) each added a shot on goal in St. Lawrence’s efforts in regulation.

“I have to admit, this team certainly keeps things exciting,” head coach Franco Bari said following the victory.  “Our defending was collectively outstanding throughout the tournament and we continued to create great opportunities.  We are developing and gelling quite nicely and I cannot begin to explain how proud I am of each and every member of this team.”

The Scarlet and Brown return to the field on Thursday, September 11th as they travel to Oswego, NY to face the Lakers.  The game is scheduled to begin at 4:00pm.