LATHAM, NY – The College of Saint Rose nearly had a dominating effort go for naught in today's 3-1 victory against visiting Northeast-10 Conference rival Pace University at the Latham Dome. The Setters (2-13-2/2-12-0 NE-10), who came into this afternoon's regular-season finale winless in their last 10 matches, scored on their lone shot-on-goal to tie the match 1-1 before the Golden Knights (14-3-1/11-2-1 NE-10) countered twice in the final 14 minutes to chalk up their ninth straight win.

Seven different players found their way into scoring column for Saint Rose, which climbed back into the NSCAA/Adidas Division II National Poll at #25 today following a month long absence. Freshman midfielders Christina Cuffari and Derith Fernandes wrapped a pair of strikes around what stood up as the game winner by sophomore midfielder Jordan Bowers. Fellow sophomore midfielders Jaclyn Evans, Amanda Deck and Amanda Schweers; and freshman forward Gianna D'Errico had one assist each.

Sophomore forward Cynthia Mendoza accounted for the Pace tally.

Saint Rose outshot Pace by a 33-2 margin and had 10 different players account for their 10 first half threats. The Golden Knights, who outshot their foes 23-1 in the second period, also held a 16-1 edge in shots-on-target and generated nine corner kicks without allowing any to the Setters throughout the contest.

Saint Rose broke through in the 34th minute when Cuffari deflected home a corner kick by Evans that made it a 1-0 game at intermission. Saint Rose then put its offense into high gear that resulted in six shots, which forced Pace freshman keeper Monique Morey to come up with three saves during the opening 11 minutes of the second period.

However, it still stood 1-0 when the game's tenor changed dramatically in the 71st minute as Mendoza took advantage of a rare Saint Rose failed clearing attempt. She collected a loose ball, dribbled once and rifled a shot from 25-yards out that rattled off the crossbar and slipped in behind Saint Rose sophomore keeper Jillian Lyons, before bouncing across the goal line.

The Golden Knights responded by simply keeping up the pressure. They eventually thwarted any hopes of an upset when Bowers touched home a Deck pass through the box in the 77th minute. A bit more than two minutes later, Schweers slipped a feed from the right flank to D'Errico who subsequently redirected it diagonally through the box. Fernandes' run on the far side paid off as she was able to push the ball just inside the left post for an insurance marker.

Saint Rose will now host an NE-10 quarterfinal game on Sunday against an opponent that has yet to be determined. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm at The Albany Academy.

Box Score