Queens, N.Y - The Queens College women’s soccer team battled the scorching heat and a depleted roster just as much as they battled Adelphi on Wednesday, and in the end, all of the obstacles proved too much, as a pair of second-half goals lifted the Panthers to a 2-1 win over the Knights in Flushing.  These were the first goals allowed in three contests for QC, and despite the loss, the team is still 2-1 on the season.

In temperatures pushing the mercury close to 100 degrees, and down several key players due to injuries, the Knights fought through the heat to take an unexpected lead in the seventh minute.  Off a restart, Lisa Cassata flicked the ball into the penalty area where Adelphi keeper, Sam Whitney, misplayed the bounce and the ball got behind her.  From there, Lorena Russi came in from the left wing and blasted a shot into the far corner of the net to put the Knights ahead, 1-0.

Later in the half, it was the defense that came up with a key stop.  In the 32^ndminute, on a long ball down the middle, Panthers Kelsey’ Malles arrived at the ball just before QC goalie, Mersina Onesto.  Onesto was able to make the stop simultaneously with Malles’ shot, to keep Queens ahead, 1-0.  The game went into the half with the Knights maintaining their one-goal advantage.

The second half saw Adelphi come out and press the issue.  With a roster that is over 20 players deep, the Panthers were able to sub fresh bodies into the game, and eventually fatigue began to catch up to the Knights as their opponents created scoring chances.  Eventually, Adelphi leveled the score at 1-all.

The tying marker came when Melissa Duarte put a through ball on the feet of Olivia Czavar who scored.  The goal was just the first that Onesto and the Knights’ defense allowed in nearly three games.

Adelphi scored the game winner just 14 minutes later when Aimee Goldstein went on a run down the right side and put a cross into the box.  From there, Duarte, who was at the far post, leapt and put her head to the ball, crossing back off the post and in to put the Panthers up, 2-1.

In the game, the Knights allowed their first two goals of the season, and in three contests are yielding less than one goal each.  They also have a 1-1 record against teams from the NE-10 Conference this year. 

The Queens College women’s soccer team returns to the pitch on Sunday, September 15, when they face CACC opponent, Georgian Court at 1:30 PM.  The Knights look to improve to 2-0 against CACC teams this season after defeating Post University, 1-0, earlier in the year.

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