Purchase, NY (Sept. 7, 2017) – One second half goal was enough for the visiting College of Staten Island in Thursday night's Panther home opener.

CSI (3-0) delivered the eventual game-winning goal in the 69th minute, prevailing in a physical, defensive contest. Forward Keonjah Nugent, who was subbed in moments before the goal, netted her first of the season on a breakaway assist from 30 yards out by Stephanie LaPointe.

For Nugent, her first of 2017 wound up being enough for CSI, too, as the visitors held on for the 1-0 shutout.

The Dolphins had put together a flurry of shots about 10 minutes earlier in the half – the first solid looks for either team.  

The first half mirrored the second half, aside from the lone goal.

The first 15 minutes of the game featured consistent defensive play on both sides, as both teams failed to record a shot on goal.

Defense was at an optimum in the first half, especially early in the period, where a few failed crosses in front of the net was the best the two programs could muster against each other.

The half ended in a scoreless stalemate with CSI holding a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal.

For the matchup, CSI totaled 14 shots, while limiting Purchase to 1.

The Dolphins held off Purchase over the final 20 minutes.

The Panthers were paced keeper Amber Yarter (SO/Albany, NY) and the team's defense, highlighted by standouts Brittany Esposito (JR/Flushing, NY), Allie Scarpa (FR/Vineland, NJ) and Nina Brennan (SR/Staten Island, NY). Center mid Berenice Rojas (FR/New York, NY) also performed well.

Yarter finished with seven saves. 

Nugent recorded a team-best three of the visitor's 14 shots. Lauren Smith and Nicole Mignone added two apiece.  

The Panthers (1-1) return to action Saturday against neighboring rival Manhattanville in another non-conference contest.