Women’s Soccer opens E8 play with a 6-2 victory over Sage

Women’s Soccer opens E8 play with a 6-2 victory over Sage

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Charles O'Brien

HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 15, 2018)  – Junior Gabby Saade scored her first goal of the season in the 26th minute to break a 1-all tie, powering the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team to a 6-2 victory over The Sage Colleges Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference fixture at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

Sophomore Erica O'Kelly recorded her first collegiate goal and freshman Fiona Matthews scored twice for the Ducks, who improved to 3-2 and moved to 1-0 in the E8. Freshman Ally Wanzor and senior Misha Brewster also found the back of the net for Stevens, who is unbeaten in eight consecutive Empire 8 openers.

Freshman Izzy DiDario made a pair of saves for Stevens to earn the victory. Mickaela Buzzy was kept busy in net as the Ducks fired a season-high 26 shots, including 16 on net. Buzzy finished with eight saves for the visiting Gators, who were handed their first loss of the season. After four straight wins to begin 2018, Sage is winless over its last two matches in falling to 4-1-1. Samantha Trimblett and Giovanna Fichera scored for the Gators.

Turning Point
  • With Stevens ahead 2-1, DiDario made consecutive saves against Trimblett, robbing Sage's third all-time leading scorer from point-blank range to preserve the one-goal margin.
  • On the ensuing possession, Wanzor dodged a Sage defender down the far sideline and rang a shot into the goal off the post for her second marker of the year.

Inside the Numbers
  • In addition to a season-high, the six-goal output for the Ducks was the most for the team since a 6-0 victory over Elmira on Sept. 30, 2017.
  • Entering the match, Sage had allowed just three goals all season. 
  • The Ducks earned eight corners to only three for Sage.
  • Junior Julia Panko led all players with five shots and Brewster registered a match-high four shots on net.
  • Senior Ziki Komar matched a career high with three assists.

Unsung Heroes
  • A tight defensive corps kept Sage from establishing offensive consistency, holding the Gators to a season-low five shots.

From the Sidelines
  • "Good start to our final Empire 8 season today. Did some good things in the final third and overcame some difficult circumstances to come away with an important three points. We've got some areas to focus upon in order to get better as we prepare to face Hartwick on Saturday."

Up Next
  • Stevens heads back to Oneonta, N.Y. for an Empire 8 fixture with Harwick on Sept. 22.
  • Stevens defeated the Hawks on penalties after a scoreless tie last season in the conference championship match.
  • Stevens holds a 12-0-1 advantage in the all-time series.
  • Live stats and video links are available at StevensDucks.com

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