Albany, N.Y. – The Sage Colleges women's soccer team had a victorious Senior Night for the nine Gator seniors with a 1-0 win over Alfred University at the Albany College of Pharmacy Sports Complex Friday night. The Gators close out the regular season with a record of 10-6-2 and a final Empire 8 regular season mark of 4-3-1. The Saxons fell to 10-7 overall with final conference slate of 3-5.
Sage outshot Alfred, 18-12 for the night and the Saxons had five corner kicks to Sage's three. Senior goalkeeper Emma Augustine (Wawarsing, NY/Ellenville) made six saves for the Gators, while Makenzie Cashmer also made six stops.
At 5:35, the Gators took the early lead. Forward Joleen Marfone (Remsen, NY/Remsen) scored her ninth of her senior season off a rebound and had a low shot into the middle of the net. Fellow senior, midfielder Arianna Logan (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie) got the assist and Sage led 1-0.
Emily Wright had a great opportunity for Alfred at 13:32 when her drive hit the right crossbar. And, at 35:44, Sage's Keeley Paull (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) got open right in front but her shot from the middle was stopped by Alfred keeper Cashmer. Alfred had a 6-5 advantage on shots in the first half.
Both teams had great chances in the early going of the second half. Just 15 seconds in, Wright was in close with a cross that was high, and 1:02 in, Marfone had a low shot from the left that went wide just outside the right post.
Sage outshot Alfred, 13-6 in the second half, including three shots in a 34 second span looking for insurance with just over 12 minutes left in regulation.
Prior to the game, nine senior Gators were recognized and honored before their final regular season home game. The seniors are goalkeeper Emma Augustine, defender Nicole Bauer (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury), forward Joleen Marfone, defender Keeley Paull, midfielder Dominique Puglisi (Schenectady, NY/Scotia Glenville), defender Madison Spohr (Ramstein – Germany), forward Samantha Trimblett (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury), midfielder/forward Ariannah Logan and her twin sister, manager Jordyn Logan (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie).
The Empire 8 will announce the pairings for the 2018 Championship Tournament Saturday evening after the completion of the regular season.
