STATEN ISLAND, NY (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University trailed by one at the half before the College of Staten Island scored three times in just under 10 minutes to open the second half and blanked the NJCU women's soccer team, 4-0, in the 2015 season opener for both programs at the CSI Soccer Complex. It was the first athletic event this academic year for any fall program at NJCU.
 
Senior goalkeeper Cassie Lubonski (Edison, NJ/Edison) did her best to keep the Gothic Knights in the game in her first career start in net, stopping eight shots, including five in the second half. CSI outshot NJCU, 17-5 overall—6-1 in the first half and 11-4 in the second period. Kristy Colangelo made two saves to register a shutout for the host Dolphins.
 
Freshman forward Katherin Merino (Harrison, NJ/Harrison) was responsible for four of NJCU's five shots, putting two attempts on frame on a hot afternoon with temperatures hovering around 90.
 
Three different players netted goals for CSI. Danielle Alexandrini scored the second and third goals in the 47th and 55th minutes to stake the hosts to a 3-0 lead, and she assisted on the fourth tally by Lauren Smith in the 57th minute, just 1:25 after the third tally.
 
Kathryn Dowling scored what proved to be the winning goal just 10:44 into the action, tapping in a cross from the right by Senda Karagozler.
 
Staten Island held a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks in the outing.
 
OF NOTE:

• NJCU leads the all-time 'Bayonne Bridge Series', 7-4-2.
• First game of the 23rd season of NJCU women's soccer.
• NJCU was without junior center back Jubeth Buitrago (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) who sat out with an injury.

WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU is right back on the pitch on Wednesday, September 2 at 7 p.m. when it faces FDU-Florham in Madison, NJ. It will be the first meeting since September 5, 2010. The Devils won that game, 3-2 in double overtime, scoring the winner with just 43 seconds left. FDU leads the all-time series, 5-1.