Box Score

ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose finally broke through a resilient Stonehill defensive scheme by striking twice twenty minutes apart to upend the Skyhawks 2-0 in a Northeast-10 Conference semifinal encounter this afternoon at Sullivan Field at the Plumeri Sports Complex.

In the process, the Golden Knights (18-1-1) moved just one step from a fifth consecutive NE-10 postseason title although they will have to contend with Merrimack (16-2-1), which handed them their lone loss with a 3-0 defeat back on October 15 in North Andover, MA. The Warriors advanced by upending visiting Southern New Hampshire 2-1 in overtime today.

Senior midfielder Brittany Godin produced both strikes with her 11th and 12th markers of the year for Saint Rose, which controlled much of the pace of play. The Golden Knights generated a 20-2 advantage in shots, including an 8-0 differential in on-target threats, and manufactured 14 corner kicks while not yielding any.

The two clubs played to a 0-0 draw at halftime as heavy wind gusts limited the two teams from making many dangerous forays into the other's territory. The best chance for either club came in the 24th minute when Saint Rose sophomore forward Carmelina Puopolo redirected a feed from senior midfielder Gianna D'Errico that forced Stonehill sophomore keeper Amy Wheaton to make a diving save to her right.

The Golden Knights generated more momentum in the second half with the wind at their back. Godin broke the ice by finishing a flurry in front of the Stonehill goal when she drove home a rebound with 61:43 elapsed after sophomore forward Sydney Bond labeled a shot off the crossbar.

Nineteen minutes later, Godin took advantage a rare Skyhawks miscue in the back. Godin stepped forward to intercept a clearing attempt, dribbled at the right flank, and let got a shot that sailed inside the top-far post that pretty much removed any doubt about the Golden Knights plans for the weekend.

Thus, Sunday's NE-10 Championship tilt will set up a match between two of the nation's top-20 squads. The Golden Knights are ranked #15 in the most recent NSCAAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division II poll, while the Warriors are listed at #14. They will be aiming for their first conference title since 1999 and seventh overall. The match will be streamed live at www.northeast10.tv.