Box Score
Purchase, NY (Sept. 3, 2011) – The Purchase College women's soccer team celebrated new head coach Michael Butler's arrival in victory Saturday afternoon, blanking visiting City College of New York, 2-0, in its season opener.
The Panthers wasted little time getting on the board in Butler's Purchase coaching debut. Freshman sensation Nathalie Lavelanet (FR/South Salem, NY) recorded the first goal of the season, a line drive blazer from about 15 yards out on the right side. Lavelanet scored three minutes and 15 seconds into the period, firing a shot off a crisp pass from Abigail Katz (JR/Livingston, NJ) – last season's conference leader in goals who has also shown a penchant for a nice touch in the passing game.
Ironically, the game's first score wound up being the game winner. Purchase (1-0) kept the pressure on in the first half, fueled by Katz in the midfield and a potent – albeit young – offense that appears to have the making of a possible playoff contender if Saturday's action was any indication of how the season will unfold. The athletic Beavers (0-1) challenged the Panthers repeatedly on the defense, but Purchase still managed 12 shots in the first 45 minutes before going into shutdown, keep away mode over the final 45 minutes.
CCNY keeper Nicole Carroll and the Beaver D was pressured throughout as Katz added a second score (14:25) in the first half. Ariel Dugan (SR/Lindenhurst, NY) was credited with the assist as Katz resumed her goal-scoring barrage from last fall in the season-opening win. Katz, who recorded a program-best 22 goals in 2010, may actually have a shot to break her own single-season mark this fall after the strong start.
Defensively, the Panthers stifled the Beavers, limiting their touches, especially in the second half. Purchase received a nice effort from new defenders Amanda Maertz (FR/Holbrook, NY) and Kelly Gato (FR/Mattituck, NY). Fellow rookies Lavelanet, Cat Viscardi (FR/Lake Ronkonkoma, NY) and Marie Uridia (SO/Red Hook, NY) also played well in their debuts. Butler's new starting lineup also featured midfielder Cristie Hipsman (FR/Chester, NY) and standout returners Katz, Ashley Panepinto (SR/North Rockland, NY) and Dugan.
Perhaps the greatest maturation from last fall may be the development of rising star Kristen Racaniello (SO/Riverhead, NY), who showed glimpses of greatness in her freshman season and now appears ready to declare herself one of the top keepers in the conference. Although seldom challenged Saturday, Racaniello looked strong on her chances, recording her first win of 2011 between the pipes.
Purchase returns to action next weekend when it takes part in the Liberty Cup Tournament.
-Bobby Ciafardini, SID
