Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's soccer team earned a 5-2 victory over MCLA on Wednesday afternoon. The Wildcats took an early lead when Rylee Unebasami scored in the 14th minute before MCLA equalized midway through the opening half. Katelyn Meehan found the back of the net late in the first half to give SUNY Poly a 2-1 advantage at the break. MCLA tied the game early in the second half, but Meehan scored again before Kara Mertz and Madison Case added goals to secure the Wildcats' 5-2 win. Skylar Blackwell made several saves throughout the contest to help SUNY Poly maintain its advantage.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SUNY Poly looked to establish its attack early, with MCLA goalkeeper Avery Ellis facing pressure from the Wildcats in the opening minutes. After MCLA recorded an early shot from Olivia Trendell, SUNY Poly continued to work for scoring opportunities as the teams settled into the contest.
The Wildcats broke through in the 14th minute when Rylee Unebasami found the back of the net to give SUNY Poly a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats continued to generate opportunities, earning corner kicks in the 16th minute as they looked to extend their advantage.
MCLA responded in the 26th minute when Kylie DeMaio scored to even the contest at 1-1. The visitors continued to look for openings, while SUNY Poly worked to regain control of the match.
The Wildcats regained the lead in the 41st minute when Katelyn Meehan scored to put SUNY Poly ahead 2-1. The Wildcats carried that advantage into halftime after limiting MCLA's opportunities to close out the opening 45 minutes.
MCLA came out looking for the equalizer in the second half, with DeMaio recording a shot on goal in the 53rd minute. Blackwell made the save to keep SUNY Poly in front, but the visitors tied the game in the 55th minute when Shaylee Lawson scored to make it 2-2.
SUNY Poly responded quickly. In the 60th minute, Meehan scored her second goal of the afternoon off an assist from Yetneliz Lugo Mateo to put the Wildcats back in front, 3-2. Just over 30 seconds later, Kara Mertz found the back of the net to extend the SUNY Poly lead to 4-2.
The Wildcats continued to pressure the MCLA defense as the second half progressed, earning additional corner kicks and creating opportunities to build on their lead. Blackwell remained active in goal, making another save on a DeMaio attempt in the 61st minute as SUNY Poly worked to protect its two-goal advantage.
SUNY Poly added an insurance goal in the 80th minute when Madison Case scored to push the Wildcats' lead to 5-2. MCLA continued to search for another goal late in the contest, but Blackwell made a save on Gwendolyn Duggan's attempt in the 82nd minute, while DeMaio struck the crossbar moments later.
The Wildcats held firm defensively through the closing minutes, with Blackwell and the SUNY Poly defense limiting MCLA's chances to complete the 5-2 victory.
