Box Score

Purchase, NY (Sept. 24, 2011) – Purchase goalkeeper Kristen Racaniello was superb Saturday at home, deflecting, rejecting and saving all but one shot on the day.
 
But it was the one that got away that wound up being the difference as Skyline Conference elite Mount Saint Mary eclipsed the Panthers 1-0 in a dog fight. The two teams matched energy from the opening whistle. The eventual game-winning goal came nearly 75 minutes into the contest when MSMC's Erin McKeon off a nice ball from Allie Kleine slipped one past Racaniello (SO/Riverhead, NY).

The second-year keeper was outstanding on the day, stopping 21 shots. She made a series of ESPN-like highlights, most notably in the second period. She also turned away a pair of potential scores inside the final five minutes, giving Purchase every opportunity to provide the equalizer down the stretch.       
 
The Panthers started strong, recording the first legitimate threat of the afternoon. Less than five minutes in, standout rookie forward Cat Viscardi (FR/Lake Ronkonkoma, NY) nearly put the Panthers on the board first, blasting a shot on goal that MSMC goalkeeper Jacquelyn Mancini made a beautiful grab on.
                                                                                                                       
Purchase matched powerhouse MSMC in aggressiveness and defensive tenacity through the opening 45 minutes. The Mount put together its first real good attack around 13 minutes in, but squandered an opportunity inside the box as the Panther defense blocked a pair of crosses, averting danger.
 
The Knights, playing their conference opener Saturday, has previously bested Bard – a team that topped Purchase, 4-0, in its last contest. Nevertheless, perhaps stronger and more prepared following the loss to the Raptors, Purchase battled the Knights until the final minute Saturday.
 
It was a nice all-around effort by many on the roster for Purchase, including newcomers Kelly Gatto (FR/Mattituck, NY), Amanda Maertz (FR/Holbrook, NY), Cristie Hipsman (FR/Chester, NY), Alexis Trainor (FR/Lake Ronkonkoma, NY) and Marie Uridia (SO/Red Hook, NY).  
 
Despite the outcome, the player of the game honors certainly belonged to Racaniello, who was masterful in the first half, totaling 10 saves as the Knights employed a consistent attack in the final 15 minutes of the period. But the Panther defense and Racaniello did not buckle under the pressure, standing tall in a matchup of league rivals.
 
The sophomore keeper was even more impressive in the second half, but the McKeon goal proved to be the difference.
 
The Panthers will now return to action Wednesday afternoon at Farmingdale.