SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Despite a goal from Gabrielle Kreppein (Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) to cut the deficit to one in the 65th minute, the Hartwick women's soccer team could not complete their comeback attempt on Wednesday night, dropping their first road game of the season to Skidmore, 2-1. The Thoroughbreds stay unbeaten on the year, moving to 3-0-1, while the Hawks drop to 3-2.
Skidmore had a pair of shots miss the target in the ninth and tenth minutes, which Hannah Bochniak (Barneveld, NY/Holland Patent) followed with an attempt at 11:59 that needed stopping from keeper Ava Keller. Skidmore's Vanessa Eljaiek had her shot blocked at 17:22, but the Thoroughbreds broke through on their next attempt at 26:58. Emily Vinick took a pass from Isabella Nevin and chipped one over the head of keeper Cassandra Robataille (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) from the edge of the 18-yard box for the 1-0 advantage on the first of her career. Vinick deposited another into the net under eight minutes later, finishing a cross off the leg of Eljaiek at 34:31. The final 10-plus minutes of the half featured just one shot, a Skidmore attempt that went high.
Robataille found herself very busy in the opening minutes of the second half. She made a stop on a Yasmine Boukari shot just 55 seconds in, and then stopped Boukari again at 56:27. After a Hartwick handball in the box, Boukari and Robataille found themselves facing off yet again for a penalty kick at 57:00. Robataille guessed Boukari's intentions correctly, diving right to make a save and keep the game within reach. The Hawks took advantage a little over seven minutes later. The Thoroughbreds cleared a Katie Weaver (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) corner, but the ball found Samantha Ford (Acton, MA/Acton Boxborough Regional), who crossed it back into the box right to Kreppein. Kreppein got behind the defense and chipped it past keeper Vivian Montgomery-Walsh for a goal in her second straight game, cutting the deficit to one. The Hawks turned up the pressure for the final 25 minutes, but could not get a second goal, tallying just one more shot on a Maggie Rogers (Wharton, NJ/Morris Hills) attempt that was saved.
Kreppein had two shots to lead Hartwick, the others coming from Bochniak, Rogers, and Nicole Conway (Chester, NY/Monroe-Woodbury). Robataille had a strong night in net despite the two goals, as she made three saves, including the crucial penalty kick stop that allowed the Hawks to make their comeback attempt in earnest.
Boukari led all players with five shots, three on net, followed up by Vinick and her three shots, depositing two for a brace. Keller and Montgomery-Walsh split the game in net; Keller had one save in the first half, while Montgomery-Walsh had three saves and allowed the Hawk goal in the second.
Skidmore had the 11-5 shot advantage, although the teams were even at five tries apiece on net. The two squads were also equal in corners, at two each, and fouls, at 10 apiece.
The Hawks will try and get back on track this Saturday, September 14, when they take on Smith in Northampton, MA for a noon start.
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