ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College defeated visiting Houghton 4-2 this afternoon at the ACP Athletic Complex. The senior class, recognized before the season finale for their contributions to the program, accounted for three goals in the Empire 8 Conference victory.
Forward Natalie Ricci (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes), among the program's career scoring leaders, and midfielder Lydia Malkiewicz (Schenectady, NY/Colonie Central), a graduate student, registered a goal and an assist each. Senior forward Hallie Klosterman (Modena, NY/Wallkill) also was a senior that scored for the Gators (8-8-2/3-4-1 E8) in the win.
RSC, which out-shot the visiting Highlanders 33-4, struck early in the matinee, putting up two goals in a 9:21 span. In the seventh minute, Klosterman converted a penalty kick, while Malkiewicz, scored unassisted just 16:56 in.
After Ricci put the Gators up 3-0 at the 73:34 mark, Houghton (6-10-1/0-7-1 E8) got on the board just 5:22 later with some precision passing.
The teams traded goals late in the game, both from rookie defenders. At the 86:45 mark, freshman defender Amelia Geesler (Glenmont, NY/Bethlehem Central) buried a Ricci drop-pass. Just 40 seconds later, freshman defender Rileigh Studley went upper left corner on her free kick from 35-yards out.
Freshman goalkeeper Kierstin Lynch (Schenectady, NY/Schalmont) (Win, 8-4-0) recorded two saves, while Houghton junior goalkeeper Megan Merrifield (Loss, 6-9-1) stopped 14 RSC shots.
Senior Day: Before today's game, Russell Sage College recognized goalkeeper Mickaela Buzzy (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta), midfielder Angela Gonzalez (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls Central), defender Samantha Schmidt (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen), Klosterman, Malkiewicz, Ricci, and Stephanie Mason '21 for their contributions to the women's soccer program.
Notes: Ricci, who led the Gators with nine goals and 20 points, made her run up the Gator career scoring record book this fall...She had 53 career points, good for 11th in program annals...Ricci finished her career with 23 goals, tied for tenth with Maria Cabral '91 among Gators.
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