Bobcats Score Double Digits in Home Opener

Paul Smiths, NY ~ It's a new era for the Paul Smith's College Women's Soccer Team.  On Saturday, the Bobcats dominated their home opener, beating the visiting Finger Lakes Community College Lakers 10-0 in Kelvey McGinnis's first win as head coach for the program.

When asked about what it meant to get her first win as a head coach, McGinnis was humble in her response, jokingly saying, "I think the team was more excited than I was."

"But in all seriousness, it felt great to see the work that we've put in not just on the field, but off the field, come to fruition," she added.

On a rainy late afternoon that felt more like the upcoming fall season than the warm Adirondack summer we've all grown accustomed to, the Bobcats controlled play from start to finish.  Senior striker Hayleigh Gates (West Winfield, NY) was the main catalyst for offense, finishing with four goals and two assists in her final home opener of her career.

"We brought the energy with the help of the men's hockey team and the rest of our Smitty supporters!" exclaimed Gates. 

"It's a bittersweet first-last game for me and my fellow seniors… so we made the most out of our time on our home turf.  We still have a lot of growing and work to do as a team, but each game is more experience and more we can learn from," she added.

The Bobcats scored seven goals in the first half as Haven Bradt (Berea, OH) got things started on a beautiful left-footed strike from distance.  Gates then connected from Pailin Hample (Long Lake, NY), who sent a perfect pass to Gates after making an overlapping run with the ball to the touchline.  Delani Osborne (Fort Duchesne, UT) scored her first collegiate goal to make it 3-0, blasting by defenders on a breakaway and slotting the ball over the diving Lakers goalkeeper.  Hample would score her first collegiate goal as well, followed by Gates, Micaela Diller (Marlton, NJ), and Gates again to earn the hat trick just 22 seconds before the end of the half.

The second half started at a torrid pace as the Bobcats netted two goals just 15 seconds apart in the first 1:46.  Gates would get her fourth of the day on a beautiful head ball that was set up nicely by a perfect Matti Swan (Schenectady, NY) cross from the corner.  Swan would then get on the board herself just 15 seconds later after the Bobcats stole the ball in the ensuing kickoff.  Sydney Lemay (Georgia, VT) finished the scoring onslaught for the hosts, making it 10-0 in the 54^th minute.

Senior captain Katrien Roefs (Bainbridge, NY) set up two goals early on and controlled play from the middle of the field.  Goaltender Peyton Hoffman (Ilion, NY) stopped her only shot of the day, adding another shutout to her resume. 

With the win the Bobcats move to 1-1-0 on the season.  They play Word of Life on Tuesday, September 10^th at home at the PSC Soccer Field at 5pm. 

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.