By Dillon Flanigan
Sports Editor
Midfielder Taylor Leckey, a senior, controlling the ball.
A much-needed 1-0 win under the lights over Molloy University on Oct. 1, snaps the Owls losing streak as defensive play shined the brightest at Jess Dow Field.
“I thought that tonight was a great game and a great example of how good of a team we can be and what we can be when we work together,” forward Mia Oliverio, a junior, said. “I think everyone did the best that they could, and we all worked as a unit tonight. So, very happy with that.”
The Owls had several opportunities to score but missed.
Forward Natalia Fiato, a junior, had the strongest opportunity to score with six shots on goal in nine attempts. Two attempts from forward Keana Criscuolo, a freshman, were wide of the goal, just as Oliverio’s shot attempt was blocked.
“I can’t even give you a number of opportunities that we should have been creating and scoring,” Head Coach Kelley Frassinelli said.
Shortly thereafter, midway into the first quarter, Oliverio, who finished the game with only two shots on goal in three attempts, scored the only goal of the game, assisted by midfielder Lindsey Onofrio, a freshman.
“I was nervous, but once I saw that ball pass, I knew that was my only chance, so I went for it,” Oliverio said. “I hit the ball, went over the right goalie shoulder, went in the net.”
As mentioned, the opponent’s defense was stout.
Molloy goalkeeper Kayla Balsamo faced the most shots attempted by the Owls with 21. In only her fourth game of her collegiate career, Balsamo allowed one goal and recorded nine saves during the game.
“It was not the easiest. I’ll say that,” Oliverio said. “They had very, tight D, but we also had ours, and we would not have won that game without our defense.”
Owls goalkeeper Lyndsay Troisi, a freshman, also played well with four saves.
“We’re really happy with the formation that we had in there,” Frassinelli said. “They’re strong, and they basically did what we asked them to do, and they stepped to the ball. They have a lot of speed. They’re really smart in their decisions, so we’re happy with what the unit has been doing in that backfield.”
There is much more of the season to go, but with this win, Frassinelli is confident the team has proven themselves able to adjust their deficiencies, setting new goals for the weeks ahead.
“Growing pains is what we’ve been calling it because they’re so young,” Frassinelli said. “We have a great bench that’s coming in and stepping in and doing the work when they step on the field. But we’re growing little by little, and it’s each step, each week.”
VOL. 64- ISSUE 5
