Purchase, NY
(Sept. 20, 2017) – Early goals in the first and second half propelled visiting Bard College to a 3-1 victory Wednesday night at Purchase.
The Raptors, who improved to 5-1 on the fall in the non-conference tilt, scored in the second minute of the contest. Forward Avalon Qian netted her eighth of the season on a through ball from Dylan McDonald.
It remained 1-0 at half.
In the second half, Bard carried the momentum forward and added an early second-half goal from Caroline Gluck. Her second of the season was assisted by Qian. The goal from outside the 25-yard line came in the 59th minute.
Shortly after, McDonald got into the scoring column on a free kick for a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Purchase showed its mettle and bounced back. Midfielder
Emma Porter (SR/Homer, NY) chipped away at the lead on a penalty kick – her first goal of the season.
The Porter PK made it 3-1, but Bard recovered and controlled the midfield the rest of the way en route to the win.
Although the Panthers (1-5) played well defensively, Bard's early strikes in both the first and the second half were instrumental – and ultimately too much to overcome. Purchase keeper
Amber Yarter (SO/Albany, NY) finished with 13 saves in a solid effort. She made a pair of outstanding saves in the second period, which kept the game close – the second of which came on a well-placed free kick.
Backup keeper
Ashley Blom (SO/Bethpage, NY) saw time in the field, while defenders
Brittany Esposito (JR/Flushing, NY),
Allie Scarpa (FR/Vineland, NJ) and
Nina Brennan (SR/Staten Island, NY) paced the defensive effort for the hosts.
Fellow starters
Brett Robison (SO/Franklin Square, NY),
Berenice Rojas (FR/New York, NY),
Cerissa DiValentino (FR/New Paltz, NY) and
Breann McKeon (JR/Staten Island, NY),
Tori La Fata (JR/East Meadow, NY) and Porter also performed well in defeat. In addition, reserves
Rebecca Rojas (FR/New York, NY),
Jessica Warren (JR/Stony Point, NY),
Brianna Pirozzi (SO/Staten Island, NY) and
Ana Jaco (SO/Glen Cove, NY) saw valuable time in a good team effort.
Bard, which held the advantage in shots (26-4), was paced offensively by the three goal scorers. McDonald finished with a game-high six shots, including four on goal. Tessa Greenhalgh earned the win in goal. The netminder totaled two saves on the night.