New Jersey City University Athletics

BOX SCORE

FARMINGDALE, NY (www.NJCUGothicKnights.com)...In the 17-year history of the New Jersey City University women's soccer program, the Gothic Knights have never defeated a nationally ranked team, but with just over six minutes remaining in the second half of Saturday's game against #25 ranked Skidmore College, there was a real opportunity. Freshman forward/midfielder ASHLEY CUNHA (Edison, NJ/Edison) scored her second goal in as many games at 83:38 of the second half to cut the deficit to 2-1, before the Thoroughbreds added a late goal and prevailed 3-1 on day two of the Farmingdale State College Tournament.

 

NJCU (1-2) dropped both games in the tournament by a combined three goals while Skidmore (2-1) won the event with a 2-0 weekend record. It was the first meeting between the programs in women's soccer. The two-goal deficit was NJCU's closest final margin against a nationally ranked team in school history. Skidmore was ranked 25^th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason poll.

 

Skidmore controlled much of the tempo of the offense, outshooting NJCU, 30-6. But the play of junior keeper KELLY REILLY (Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville Memorial) kept the Knights within arms length, as she stopped eight shots in 77:18 of action, before leaving with NJCU behind, 2-0. Freshman keeper CATHERINE HENSLEY (Dripping Springs, TX/Dripping Springs) saw her first career action, but didn't make a save in the final 12:42, allowing the third goal of the game.

 

Skidmore led 2-0 at the half. Sophomore forward Elena Stansky (Worcester, MA/Worcester Academy) scored at 18:50 off a pass from sophomore forward Abby Benton (Vergennes, VT/Vergennes Union). Senior midfielder Emily Quirk (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) made it 2-0 at 25:27 with senior forward Jenni Hibbard (Dedham, MA/Dedham) picking up the assist.

 

Cunha's second goal of the season in the 84^th minute was set up by freshman forward GABRIELLE CLARKE (Edison, NJ/J.P. Stevens) who earned her first career assist, as the Knights clawed within one, 2-1.

 

But Hibbard concluded a three-point day by putting the game out of reach at 86:43, scoring an unassisted goal. Skidmore sophomore keeper Meghan Sleezer (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) made one save for the win.

 

NJCU opens its home schedule at the newly enhanced and upgraded Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex on Tuesday, September 8 at 5 p.m. when it hosts the City College of New York in a non-conference game.