BROOKLYN, N.Y.  – The Purchase College women's soccer team weathered the wind, rain and a St. Joseph's University, N.Y. (Brooklyn) two-goal rally en route to a 3-2 Skyline Conference victory at Aviator Field on Saturday evening. Freshman midfielder Julieth Velasquez (White Plains, NY) sent the Panthers home winners with the go-ahead tally in the 69th minute. 

With the win, Purchase (5-3, 2-3 Skyline) surpassed last season's overall win count (4) and tied the league (2). 

Senior tri-captains Kristen Purcell (Sauquoit, NY) and Lauren Pudelka (Danbury, CT) knocked in back-to-back goals to give Purchase an early 2-0 advantage. Purcell notched the icebreaker at 21:35, after collecting a ball off a failed SJC clear attempt and blasting a shot to the lower left corner. Less than six minutes later, Purcell struck again but this time was shutdown by Bear netminder Julia Marin. 

Enter Pudelka, who collected a pass from Purcell and chipped it high and out of Marin's reach for PC's second goal of the game. The tally marked Pudelka's first of the season and second of her career. 

Considered the most dangerous lead in soccer for a reason, the 2-0 PC advantage was quickly erased by the Bears' counterattack. SJC erupted with two goals of its own, including one in the final 30 seconds of the half, to even the score at 2-apiece. 

Both teams entered the second half committed to a balanced attack and hungry for another goal but only one team cashed in.  Velasquez made it happen for the visitors with an unassisted tally from 30 yards out. 

With the rain and wind picking up throughout the half, SJC continued to rifle off shots for a comeback but were unsuccessful.

Senior Haley Cascio (Deer Park, NY) played the final 45 minutes in goal for Purchase, collecting two saves to earn her third win of the season. Marin recorded four saves for St. Joseph's before sustaining an injury in the final minutes of the game.

Up next, Purchase will play a slew of home games, beginning with a non-conference matchup against CCNY on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.

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