Garden City, N.Y. — After a well deserved bye week, head coach Brooke DeRosa and the Adelphi women's soccer team returned to the field on Saturday afternoon for a conference clash with Saint Anselm.
The battle began with a quick Saint Anselm attack but the shot sailed wide of the net. From there it was more evenly paced with both teams playing the ball in the middle of the field.
In the 26th minute, Adelphi had their first real chance when a Kara DeBlaiso shot was saved by the Hawks' keeper. Eleven minutes later, the Panthers rode their offensive momentum for the first score of the game.
A nice pass off of the head of Madison Apicella went to Kayleigh Goodrich, who sent a pretty through ball to newly entered Bethany Solari. Flying down the wing, the freshman made a Saint Anselm defender fall down before beating the goalkeeper for the lead.
Adelphi had another chance late in the half but could only take a one goal lead into the break.
The beginning of the second half had more tempo than the first. Saint Anselm earned a corner kick in the opening minutes just before an Apicella shot barely trickled wide for the Panthers.
For the next fifteen minutes both teams had very solid chances. A Crystal Knoell shot went high and Emily Aridas stonewalled a Hawks shot. Adelphi was able to bat away any Saint Anselm chances until the 65th minute. The Hawks were able to sneak in behind the Adelphi defense and score just underneath the crossbar to tie the game.
In response, the Panthers upped the offensive pressure, getting the ball into Saint Anselm's box and earning corner kicks. Apicella had a golden chance saved in the 76th minute and while it looked like Adelphi was primed to take the lead, Saint Anselm countered.
A goal kick started the chance as the Hawks slowly moved the ball up. With three defenders occupied, a lone Saint Anselm forward got a shot up over Aridas and give the road team a 2-1 lead.
The Panthers tried to regain the momentum they once had, but the Hawks thwarted any opportunity and Adelphi fell 2-1.
DeRosa and the Cats will return to Motamed Field on Tuesday at 3 p.m. when they host Caldwell.
