Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's soccer team fell 3–1 at home to the Keuka College Wolves on Saturday afternoon. Despite another strong outing from goalkeeper Samantha Barrett, who recorded several key saves to keep the Wildcats in contention, a flurry of second-half goals from Keuka proved too much to overcome. Brooke Bush converted a late penalty kick to put Poly on the board in the closing minutes. The Wildcats are now 1-10-2 (0-6 Empire 8) on the season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The opening half was a defensive battle, with both teams trading chances but unable to find the breakthrough. Barrett set the tone early with saves on Keuka's Rilee Nunan (14') and Delaney Szostak (25'), keeping the match scoreless. SUNY Poly generated pressure of their own, highlighted by Rylie Fischer's on-target strike in the 14th minute and a close-range effort from Aubree Smykla in the 33rd that was cleared off the line.

In the 42nd minute, Brooke Bush nearly put Poly ahead when her shot rattled off the right post, but the match went into halftime knotted at 0–0 after a flurry of late corner kicks for the Wildcats.

Keuka found their rhythm in the second half, opening the scoring in the 53rd minute as Delaney Szostak capitalized on a rebound to make it 1–0. The Wolves doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute when Peyton Steates finished off a corner kick, and Karlee Reed added a third in the 67th minute to extend the lead to 3–0.

SUNY Poly continued to battle, with Taylor Poovey and Aubree Smykla each forcing saves from Keuka keeper Elianna Wilder in the later stages. The Wildcats finally broke through in the 87th minute, as Brooke Bush confidently buried a penalty kick to cut the deficit to 3–1. Despite late pressure, Poly couldn't find another goal as Keuka held on for the home victory.

UP NEXT:

The Wildcats will return home to face The Russell Sage Gators on Wednesday, October 15th, with kickoff set for 5:00 P.M. at Wildcat Field.