Women’s Soccer Posts 2-0 Win

Junior Nicole Sharick scored in the first half as Keuka picked up its fourth NEAC win in its last five games with a 2-0 blanking of SUNY Cobleskill.

BOXSCORE

Since posting a 3-0 shutout win over Gallaudet University on Sept. 24, the Keuka College women’s soccer team had struggled on offense, scoring only one goal in four games with three shutouts as the Storm suffered through a tough 1-3 stretch.

After enduring 41 more minutes of shutout soccer during its Saturday afternoon contest at North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) rival SUNY Cobleskill, extending the drought to one goal over 401 minutes of action, the Storm attack broke through in a big way against the Tigers.

Junior Nicole Sharick (Corfu, NY/Pembroke) scored the Storm’s first goal of the game and freshman Lauren Piampiano (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) added her first career collegiate goal as Keuka (4-5-1, 4-2-1 NEAC) rebounded with a solid 2-0 win over the Tigers.

“It was a real slow start, but we played much better in the second half,” said Jamie Burke, Keuka’s sixth-year head coach.

“Both goals were great shots into the far post. (Lauren) Piampiano played very well up top for us creating a number of scoring opportunities.”

Sharick put Keuka ahead 1-0 in the 42nd minute. Sharick ripped a shot from six yards out along the left side of the goal box that snapped Keuka’s scoring drought. Nursing a 1-0 halftime lead, the Storm came out attacking to start the second, and the persistence paid off as Keuka extended its lead to 2-0 in the 51st minute. Sophomore Stephanie Havens (Unadilla, NY/Unatego) hit a cross into Piampiano, who converted on her only shot on goal of the game for the two-goal advantage.

A stout Storm defense made the lead stand as Keuka picked up its fourth NEAC victory in its last five matches. With five NEAC games remaining, Keuka is tied with Cazenovia (4-7-1, 4-2-1 NEAC) for fourth place in the conference standings. The top 50 percent of teams qualify for the postseason tournament, which runs Nov. 1-6.

Senior Morgan Engelbert (Elmira, NY/Thomas Edison) made a career-high 14 saves to post her third career shutout, all coming this year, her first-ever season playing soccer. It was her second shutout in her last three games for Keuka, which won despite being outshot 20-14.

“Morgan played well in the goal and made some key saves for us, especially late in the game,” Burke added.

Keuka returns to action when it hosts NEAC rival Wels College at 7 p.m. Thursday night.