Nonconference play is over for the women’s soccer team. Although the Knights are 0-5-1 for the season, this record does not reflect their opponents’ level of competition or the close nature of each game.
Thursday’s home opener loss against Nazareth College was a tight game throughout. Senior Emily Novak scored the game’s first goal off an assist from freshman Stephanie Clookey. Nazareth then scored its first goal of the match on a nice finish from the top of the 18, evening the score. Nazareth scored the final point on a goal that took an awkward hop.
“[That was] a shot … [junior] goalkeeper [Julia Sanger] normally saves,” head coach Nate Wiley said.
With this win, Nazareth moved to a 2-1-3 record overall.
“The game between Geneseo and Nazareth has always been a very close, hotly contested match,” Wiley said.
In a match on Saturday Sept. 15, Lycoming College provided Geneseo with another chance to improve its record.
“This game saw Geneseo take a whopping 23 shots to a Lycoming three shots,” Wiley said.
Novak and teammate Shannon Spusta contributed five shots each. Geneseo could not connect on a single one, though, leaving the final score a tie, 0-0.
“This game was a very good indicator for Geneseo,” coach Wiley said. “I believe that the team showed excellent pressure and perseverance to get to that many shots, and it displayed that the … women’s squad can clearly be competitive.”
Sanger made two saves in 110 minutes in goal.
The match against Lycoming marked the end of nonconference play for Geneseo. The Knights will play their next two games on home turf, facing SUNY Fredonia on Friday Sept. 21. The Blue Devils (4-1) are looking strong this year, coming off an upset over William Smith College, earning them a No. 22 national ranking.
Geneseo will have no time to rest, however, playing Buffalo State College the following day. Buffalo State comes in with a 1-5 start on the season. Both competitions will be held on Saratoga Field.