Aug. 28, 2005
Final Stats
Sophomore Susie Blaisdell finished a through-ball into an empty net in the 68th minute breaking a 1-1 tie as the Siena women's soccer team upset Colgate 2-1 in its season-opener Sunday in Hamilton. Freshman keeper Patti Carroll stopped eight shots in her collegiate debut to earn the victoy in the net.
The win was a big one for Siena, which was picked second in the MAAC preseason poll. The Raiders entered the game at No. 5 in the regional rankings by soccerbuzz.com and were receiving votes in the NSCAA/adidas national poll. A strong non-conference showing could earn Siena regional recognition itself, and Sunday's win was a big step in the right direction.
The Saints got on the board first with an early goal by sophomore transfer Chelsea Maguire. After Colgate keeper Luisa Miller came out of the net to make a stop, Maguire gained control of the ball and fired a shot that ricocheted off the left goal post into the net at 3:36.
Midway through the first half, Colgate evened the score as defender Kathleen Head took a shot that was saved but not collected by Carroll. Teammate Franny Iacuzzi took advantage of the loose ball and knocked it past the Siena goalie to even the game at one apiece at 26:29.
Blaisdell's game-winner came just over 22 minutes into the second half. Junior forward Kristen Turner raced toward the goal and beat Miller to create an empty net situation. Senior midfielder Carolyn Warhaftig, sensing her keeper was in trouble, ran to the net for protection. She knocked away Turner's initial attempt, but did not kick it far enough as Blaisdell picked it up and shot it past Warhaftig to give the Saints a 2-1 advantage.
Jackie Burch had an opportunity to even the scoring for the Red Raiders with just over four minutes remaining after a foul was called on Siena just outside the 18-yard marker. Burch launched a free kick that went over the wall of defenders but was a touch too high as it sailed over the net.
Carroll was sensational between the posts for Siena, making eight stops to pick up the victory in her first college start.
Colgate's Miller, made two stops in net, but was taken out at 80:21 and replaced with sophomore Carly Sousa. Sousa made one stop in the final 9:39.
The Saints return to action on Saturday as they start their home season with a non-conference game against Holy Cross at 3 p.m.
