Freshman forward Ellie Gregory hustles to get the ball past Alfred University’s defense on Tuesday Oct. 3 in a 3-0 victory. Despite their winning streak, the team fell 1-0 to SUNY Oswego on Saturday Oct. 14, marking their first loss of the best season that the Knights have had in years.
After holding a program-best record of 12-1-1 through their first 14 games, the Geneseo women’s soccer team lost their first game of the season on Saturday Oct. 14 in a 1-0 match against conference rival SUNY Oswego.
In the three games leading up to the loss, the Knights had scored 10 goals versus the single goal scored by their opponents in that time. Although the Knights held this advantage, their game on Oct. 3 was closely contested against Alfred University.
It wasn’t until the 77th minute when senior forward Audrey Reid netted her first goal of the game. Less than a minute later Reid notched another goal, followed by a goal from senior midfielder Leah Greene at the 81:54 mark. Along with a shutout from junior goalkeeper Emily Janiszewski, the Knights were victorious as a result outshooting Alfred 44 to zero.
The Knights next went up against conference opponent SUNY Brockport on Oct. 7. In an easy blowout, Reid scored once in the first half and then again at the 61:11 mark in the second half. Only a few minutes later, Greene scored off a header on an assist from sophomore back Taylor Clar.
Greene scored again in the 74th minute thanks to an assist from freshman midfielder Ellie Gregory.
The Knights followed up the blowout win with a slightly closer game against SUNY Cortland on Friday Oct. 13. After Reid scored in the first minute, the Red Dragons tied up the match in the 14th minute. Sophomore forward Domenica Piccoli sent an assist to Reid, who broke the tie with a goal at the 85:08 mark, her 11th of the season and 26th of her career.
The lead was solidified only a minute later with a goal from Greene assisted by Reid. This was the fifth straight multi-goal game for Reid, and the fourth straight scoring game for Greene.
The Knights followed up the three strong games with a tough loss against Oswego for senior day on Saturday Oct 14. The loss leaves Geneseo 0-2-1 against the Lakers in the past three matchups. Despite outshooting Oswego 13 to 8, only one goal passed the keeper duringthe game. Head coach Nate Wiley believes this loss could have been avoided.
“Ultimately, we didn’t perform at the level we’ve been performing at all year,” Wiley said. “I don’t think we played poorly, I just don’t think we played as well as we normally do.”
Wiley praised how well prepared the team was in heading into the season, however, he noted that fatigue has set in.
“That’s something we’ll have to address this week and as we head into the post season,” Wiley said. “They’re a good group, they recognize that we lost a soccer game and that we’ll do everything in our power to not lose again.”
The team is heading into the final three games of the season, all away against SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Plattsburgh and Houghton College. Wiley has said that Potsdam has been the most organized team in the conference, while Plattsburgh has been a tough team the past couple of years. Despite the loss, Wiley is looking forward to his team’s final games.
“The fact that we’re losing our first game in the 14th game means we’re doing a lot of great things,” Wiley said. “The team has recognize the power of working hard and having the right mental approach.”