ALFRED, NY – The Alfred State women's soccer team battled SUNY Geneseo for the full 90 minutes Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Stadium, but a pair of second-half goals by the Knights proved to be the difference as the Pioneers fell 2-1.
Alfred State entered the matchup unbeaten at 2-0-1 after a strong 3-1 victory over Keuka earlier in the week, while Geneseo came into Saturday at 1-1-1. The Pioneers struck first in the 32
nd minute.
Regan Curabba continued her strong start to the season, finding the back of the net at the 31:37 mark to put Alfred State ahead 1-0.
Shannon Spoth provided the assist on the play, setting up Curabba for her third goal of the season. Alfred State's defense made the early advantage stand through the remainder of the opening half. Despite Geneseo generating four first-half shots and three corner kicks, The Pioneers kept the Knights off the scoreboard and carried the 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Geneseo increased its offensive pressure after the break, but Alfred State continued to battle defensively. The Knights eventually broke through in the 47
th minute when Ella Yartym scored off assists from Aicha Cisse and Lauren DeMura, leveling the match at 1-1. The Pioneers remained within striking distance as the second half progressed.
Savannah Picha made three saves in the second half after replacing
Madeline Cox at halftime to help keep the match tied. Geneseo finally found the deciding goal late in the contest. Yartym scored her second goal of the afternoon in the 81
st minute, this time unassisted, to give the Knights their first lead at 2-1. Alfred State continued to compete through the final whistle but could not find the equalizer, suffering its first loss of the season.
The result moves Alfred State to 2-1-1 on the season, while Geneseo improves to 2-1-1. The Pioneers look to bounce back on Wednesday, September 16
th, when the Pioneers travel to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford to take on the Panthers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 pm.
