Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly women's soccer team dropped a 3-1 decision to Alfred University on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats fell behind 2-0 in the opening 21 minutes before Kara Mertz cut the deficit in the 83rd minute with an assist from Amelia Guarascio. Alfred added a late goal to secure the victory. Skylar Blackwell made several saves in goal for SUNY Poly, including multiple stops on shots from Alfred's Ava Thayer.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Alfred opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Ava Thayer found the back of the net to give the Saxons a 1-0 lead.
Thayer doubled Alfred's advantage in the 21st minute, scoring her second goal of the afternoon off an assist from Mara Gloo to make it 2-0.
Blackwell kept the Wildcats within striking distance throughout the opening half, making saves on shots from Thayer and Aviana Petrizzo. SUNY Poly generated a pair of chances late in the half, with Rylee Unebasami putting a shot on goal that was saved by Alfred goalkeeper Lauren Mott and Abigail Hughes recording a shot just wide.
The Wildcats came out aggressively in the second half, with Lily Arduini and Kara Mertz each putting shots on goal early, but Mott made saves on both attempts.
Blackwell continued to keep Alfred off the scoreboard, making saves on shots from Thayer in the 58th and 63rd minutes before stopping attempts from Sidney Khuns, Thayer and Anna Henner later in the half.
SUNY Poly cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 83rd minute when Mertz scored off an assist from Guarascio, giving the Wildcats new life in the closing minutes.
Alfred answered with just 27 seconds remaining, as Petrizzo scored in the 90th minute to restore the Saxons' two-goal advantage.
The Wildcats continued to battle through the final whistle, but Alfred held on for the 3-1 victory.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday, October 7, when they travel to Russell Sage College for a 4 p.m. matchup.
