ALBANY, N.Y.- The College of Saint Rose utilized a balanced offensive attack and a stout defense late to earn a 12-11 victory today over Dominican College in the Golden Knights season-opener at Sullivan Field the Plumeri Sports Complex.
Saint Rose (1-0) jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the opening quarter, eventually building an advantage that stretched to 5-2 at halftime. Out of the break, Dominican would answer with the first three goals of the third quarter to draw the action even at 5-5.
The two squads continued to trade scores into the early moments of the fourth frame when sophomore midfield
Eileen Rattigan sliced through the Charger defense for two straight goals to push a 9-8 Golden Knight lead to 11-8 with 5:08 left.
Dominican fought until the end, netting three of the next four goals to reduce the margin to 12-11 with 2:23 remaining. However, the Saint Rose defense, anchored by sophomore defender
Nicole Taveras, locked down the Chargers in the final minutes, including a victory-securing turnover created by Rattigan when Dominican was building a final possession in the one-score affair.
"We had a few great opportunities that we capitalized on early in the game to maintain a lead. There were some great individual efforts today. I thought (Nicole) Taveras played stellar defense and was key in the victory," said Head Coach
Sarah Martin. "I thought the team showed resiliency in the last few minutes to close out the game. Overall, there is a lot to take away from the game and we are excited to start the season with a win."
Five different Golden Knights registered multi-goal performances, topped by three goals from sophomore attack
Deanna Ciliento. Sophomore midfielders
Payton O'Hara,Â
Daria Bock, and Rattigan registered two goals each, with junior midfielder
Ashley Burns matching the trio with two goals as well.Â
Additionally, Rattigan and sophomore attack
Julia Lasher distributed three assists apiece to facilitate the Saint Rose attack.Â
Sophomore goalie
Dorothy Gaffney was strong in net for the Golden Knights, making six saves to earn the win.
Dominican (1-1) received three goals each from freshmen midfielders Sydney Strohymeyer and Jordana Tomasetti, as well as freshman attacker Erica Ortiz.
Both teams return to action with road meetings on Saturday afternoon. Saint Rose faces Post University in Waterbury, Conn. at 12:00 pm. while the Chargers travel to Millersville for a 1:00 pm match-up.
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