Keuka Park, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw against Keuka College on Wednesday afternoon. The Wildcats took the lead in the 26th minute when Madison Case found the back of the net off an assist from Rylee Unebasami. Keuka answered early in the second half to even the score, but Skylar Blackwell made several key saves throughout the match to help SUNY Poly secure the draw.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SUNY Poly created an early opportunity in the sixth minute when Samantha Barrett recorded a shot as the Wildcats looked to take control of the match.
Blackwell kept Keuka off the scoreboard during the opening half, making saves on attempts from Lydia Lane and Anna Leone as the home team worked to generate offensive pressure.
The Wildcats broke through in the 26th minute when Madison Case scored off an assist from Unebasami to give SUNY Poly a 1-0 advantage.
Keuka looked to respond before halftime, earning several corner kicks and putting pressure on the Wildcats' defense. Blackwell came up with consecutive saves in the 32nd minute on shots from Avery Bernard and Bailey Cook before making another stop on Cook's attempt in the 34th minute.
SUNY Poly nearly added to its lead just before halftime when Case put a shot on target in the 45th minute, but Keuka goalkeeper Payton Malec made the save to keep the score at 1-0 heading into the break.
Keuka found the equalizer in the 53rd minute when Lydia Lane scored off an assist from Kelsey Davis, bringing the match to a 1-1 tie.
Blackwell continued to come up with important saves after Keuka's goal, stopping attempts from Lane, Sam Bates and Katie O'Gara to keep the Wildcats even as the second half progressed.
SUNY Poly looked to regain the lead in the 59th minute when Kara Mertz put a shot on target, but Malec made the save. The Wildcats continued to search for an opening, with Katelyn Meehan sending a shot wide in the 73rd minute.
The Wildcats generated another opportunity in the 80th minute when Lily Arduini put a shot on target, but Malec once again came up with the save.
Keuka applied pressure during the closing minutes, but Blackwell continued to turn away scoring attempts, including a save on a shot from Bates in the 89th minute. The Wildcats held on through the final whistle to earn the 1-1 draw.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return to action on Saturday, October 17, when they take the field for a 1 p.m. matchup.
