Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's soccer team fell 2–1 to the SUNY Geneseo Knights. Despite a resilient defensive effort and a late second-half goal by senior Brooke Bush, the Wildcats were unable to erase an early deficit against a strong Geneseo side. With the result, SUNY Poly moves to 1–14–2 (0-10 Empire 8) on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Geneseo controlled possession early and broke through in the sixth minute when Kirsten Shepherd finished a pass from Abby Foster to give the Knights a 1–0 lead. The visitors continued to pressure throughout the opening half, firing several shots toward goal, but goalkeeper Samantha Barrett stood tall with multiple saves to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.

The Knights doubled their advantage in the 36th minute, as Yartym found the back of the net off a setup from Samantha DeNisco, sending Geneseo into halftime with a 2–0 lead. Barrett remained busy, recording six saves in the first 45 minutes to limit further damage.

In the second half, the Wildcats began to generate more attacking chances. Taylor Poovey nearly pulled one back in the 66th minute with a low shot that forced a save from Geneseo goalkeeper Natalie Budgar. Barrett continued her stellar performance in net, turning aside a flurry of attempts from the Knights midway through the period to keep the deficit at two.

SUNY Poly's persistence paid off in the 89th minute when Bush confidently converted a penalty kick, cutting the margin to 2–1 and giving the Wildcats a late spark. Despite the late surge and several defensive stands, the Wildcats were unable to find an equalizer before the final whistle.

UP NEXT: 

The Wildcats will hit the road for their final game of the season against the Alfred University Saxons on October 29th at 7:00 P.M.