Newburgh, NY –The Sage women's soccer team travelled to Mt. St. Mary College for a Skyline Conference match-up featuring two of the league's unbeaten teams. By night's end, the Gators emerged as the victor as junior forward Savannah Mason (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) scored the lone goal in the action. With the win, Sage improves to 9-3 overall and 5-0 in the conference. Mt. St. Mary College drops to 8-5-1 overall and 4-1 in the league.
A year ago, these two teams met in the Skyline Conference semifinals and the Knights posted a 6-0 win over Sage to advance to the 2014 league championship. Since joining the Skyline Conference in 2007, Sage has only beaten Mt. St. Mary College one other time in the regular-season. The only other Gator win in the regular-season was in 2008 as they posted a 1-0 win. Sage also beat the Knights 1-0 in the first round of the 2009 Skyline Conference tournament.
Since joining the Skyline Conference, the Gators have achieved five wins with no losses on the 2015 season. Sage will go for win No. 6 on Sunday. Sage has tallied six wins in league play on two occasions. The first was in 2010 as the team went 6-4, while also going 6-2 last season.
After playing to a scoreless first half, Mason was able to push the lone goal of the night past MSMS's keeper, Mary Riley at the 83:04 mark. Mason scored on a deflection off a free kick at the top of the box as junior Cassidy Bruen (Baldwinsville, NY/Baldwinsville) assisted on the play.
Mason now has nine points on four goals with an assist, while tallying two game-winning goals this season. On her career, Mason has moved into a tie for No. 9 in career goal scoring with her 19th career score. She is tied with Kate Curran (1997-1999) also with 19 goals. She also moved ahead of Michelle Lessard (1993-1994, 42 points) in career points and stand No. 9 now with her 43 points on 19 goals and five assists.
Sage's senior keeper, tri-captain Nicole Maher (Glen Clove, NY/Saint Dominic) earned the win, turning away six shots faced and is now 8-1 in goal. The Gators have now tallied five shutouts this fall as they have also outscored their opponents 35-10. MSMC's Mary Riley had one save in taking the loss.
Sage is back in action on October 11 with a home match-up on Sunday, as they host Yeshiva University in a Skyline Conference contest at noon at nearby Albany College of Pharmacy's Athletic Complex. Sage will be sponsoring a Take a Kid to the Game promotion in conjunction with the soccer doubleheader as the Gator men also host Yeshiva in a 3 p.m. start.