Women's Soccer Sink Seawolves

Paul Smiths, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College Women's Soccer Team earned a big victory on Sunday, defeating the Southern Maine CC Seawolves 1-0 in a Yankee Small College Conference matchup between two top-10 ranked United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) teams. 

The Bobcats knew they had to come out strong and score early against the Seawolves, who sit above them in both the USCAA and YSCC standings.  The icebreaker came early as the back line of the Bobcats got the ball up to Pailin Hample (Long Lake, NY) who got a touch on a 50/50 ball to leading scorer Hayleigh Gates (West Winfield, NY).  Gates charged the goal, pulling defenders and the keeper's gaze, and deftly served the ball across the top of the six yard box to an onrushing Matti Swan (Schenectady, NY) who calmly passed the ball into the back of the net to put the Bobcats up 1-0.  

"We knew going in that we had to win this game and with the support of our families in town for Family Weekend it really brought up the energy," said Swan.

Gates echoed Swan's sentiments, stating "We came out strong in the first half and were able to hang on in the second."  

The hosts had other great opportunities in the half but the Southern Maine goaltender Grayson Soldati did well to keep Gates and the rest of the challengers off the score sheet to keep it at 1-0 going into the second half.

The Seawolves came out hard and had four dangerous corner kicks that put the home team on edge.  Luckily, the Bobcat defense of Jamey Roy (Anchorage, AK), Haven Bradt (Berea, OH), Vanessa Erkson (Cherry Valley, NY), Carley Simmons (Heuvelton, NY), and Nat Ross (Springfield, VA) did their job to help goalkeeper Peyton Hoffman (Ilion, NY) keep a clean sheet.  Hoffman finished with a five-save shutout and was steadfast in net.

"We really pushed ourselves to earn this shutout,"commented Hoffman.

"Communication was key in this game all throughout and our center back, Jamey Roy, and I were able to communicate well together and see the whole field," Hoffman added.

The Bobcats move to 4-3 on the season and currently sit as the eighth-ranked team in the nation in USCAA Women's Division II Soccer.  They will likely move up in the national rankings as head coach Kelvey McGinnis pushes her team toward the playoffs.

"We worked hard this past week and the team brought the energy," said McGinnis.

"Southern Maine didn't give up easily which forced us to keep fighting hard until the end - I'm proud of the team getting this win but the work doesn't stop here," added McGinnis.

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.