The Geneseo women's soccer team continued its hot start to the season, picking up a win and tie last weekend against SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Plattsburgh, respectively.
The Knights beat Potsdam 4-0 on Friday and tied Plattsburgh 0-0 on Saturday. Geneseo is now 6-1-1 for the season and 2-0-1 in SUNYAC play.
The Knights got off to a fast start Friday, scoring three goals in the first half. Junior Anne Beinetti notched her eighth goal of the year to open Geneseo scoring. Sophomore Emily Novak quickly followed with her second goal of the season on assists from juniors Bre Glynn and Melanie Rocchio.
Geneseo took a three goal lead later in the half as junior Kelly Bergin tallied her fourth goal of the season on a pass from freshman Olivia Panepinto.
In the second half Novak assisted junior Rian Jock, giving the Knights a four-goal lead. Senior Katie Clerkin saved the only shot Potsdam took the entire game to pick up the shutout in goal. Geneseo outshot Potsdam 34-1 on the game and had a 17-2 edge in corner kicks.
Having a big lead allowed Geneseo to rest many of their starters which head coach Nate Wiley believed both helped and hurt the team for Saturday's game against Plattsburgh. "It helped us as much as it hurt us," Wiley said. "Our players who logged a lot of minutes Saturday didn't have to [play as much] Friday. But the slower pace of play Friday hurt us."
On Saturday the Knights played to a 0-0 tie against Plattsburgh. It was an evenly matched game as Geneseo held a slim 12-10 shot advantage. Clerkin made five saves, picking up her sixth shutout in seven games played this year.
Clerkin was helped out by Geneseo's back line of senior Ashley Keogh, juniors Alex Miller and Molly Bralower and freshman Alexa Vojvodic. The defense was able to step up to make plays, something they are not used to having to do. "They know they have the ability," Wiley said. "It was nice for them to get the opportunity to showcase what they've been working on all year."
After two scoreless 10 minute overtime periods, the game resulted in a tie but the teams went to a penalty kick shootout for SUNYAC tiebreaker purposes. The Knights won the shootout 4-3 and now hold the tiebreaker over Plattsburgh. "The chances of it meaning something are slim," Wiley said. "But it's good to know who gets the higher seed without a coin flip."
Getting four points on the weekend helped Geneseo move into a tie for first place in the SUNYAC. "It certainly puts us in a better position than last year," Wiley said. "Plattsburgh's a physical, athletic team that's difficult to play against."
Geneseo continues SUNYAC play this weekend traveling to SUNY Oneonta on Friday for a matchup for first place. On Saturday they stay on the road at SUNY New Paltz.