Bobcats Blank Huskies in First YSCC Matchup

Paul Smiths, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College Women's Soccer Team took care of business in their second home game of the 2024 campaign, beating the Word of Life Bible Institute Huskies 7-0 in front of the Smitty faithful.  The first Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) match of the season for the Bobcats saw a scoreless first half develop into a rout in favor of the home team in the second half.  

"This game really kept me on the edge of my seat during the first half!" exclaimed Kelvey McGinnis, the head coach for the Bobcats.

The first half was all PSC, but credit to the Huskies goalkeeper Ryleigh Gangarossa who stopped all 16 shots she faced, keeping the game at 0-0 going into the second.  The scoreless draw didn't last long after the break, as the Bobcats poured seven into the back of the Huskies net in the second half.

Senior striker Hayleigh Gates (West Winfield, NY) got things started in the 52nd minute, bringing her goal tally to five in three games as she sits in second place in the goals scored category in United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Women's Division II while also sharing first place in points on the season with 12.  Delani Osborne (Fort Duchesne, UT) scored the second goal for the Bobcats in the 56th minute, and from there, the floodgates opened.

"We created great opportunities for ourselves and the team really turned it on in the second half," added McGinnis.  

Matti Swan (Schenectady, NY) was involved in each of the Bobcats first four goals, earning herself Player of the Match.  She assisted Gates and Osborne's goals, while burying the next two herself, slotting her first past the goalkeeper in the 59th minute then following that with a gorgeous long distance chip over the keeper just three minutes later.  Micaela Diller (Marlton, NJ), Pailin Hample (Long Lake, NY), and Maddy Jackson (New Bern, NC) scored the final three goals with Katrien Roefs (Bainbridge, NY) picking up two assists as she continued to provide great service throughout the duration. 

Swan was pumped after the win, celebrating with her team and cheering the PSC men's team as they also took the field against WOLBI.  "This win is just the beginning and it shows our hard work is paying off so I'm super excited to build on it!" said Swan.  The High Point University transfer spoke about the difference between the culture at HPU vs. PSC, stating "Playing for PSC feels like a family and it's so good to have a coach and teammates that actually care and can adapt to how our players play."  

PSC goalkeeper Peyton Hoffman (Iion, NY) stopped all five shots faced as she picks up her second shutout in as many games.  Defenders Jamey Roy (Anchorage, AK), Vanessa Erkson (Cherry Valley, NY), Bradt, and Jackson provided support on the back end, controlling play and keeping the Huskies from getting quality chances.  Nat Ross (Springfield, VA), Sydney Lemay (Georgia, VT), and Carley Simmons (Heuvelton, NY) also contributed important minutes in the resounding win.

The Bobcats move to 2-1 on the season and will play SUNY ESF in another YSCC showdown on Saturday, September 14th in Syracuse, NY.  

You can follow the women's soccer team on Instagram at @paulsmiths_wsoccer or follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for scores, highlights, pictures, and much more!

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.