The City College of New York claimed the title in the 2009 CUNY Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Championship today by defeating Medgar Evers College 1-0 at the College of Staten Island. City’s Carina Subia (Queens, NY) earned Most Valuable Player honors for her play in the midfield.
In the first half, the Cougars controlled the ball on the Beaver half of the field, but the CCNY defense was up to the task of keeping the high powered Cougars off the scoreboard. Medgar attacked quickly, just 10 seconds into the game Kerissa Harris had an opportunity for an early goal, but the ball sailed just high. Still pressing play, the Cougars had another opportunity in the second minute of play. On a free kick, Harris passed to Kathy Salcedo who had an opportunity to give Medgar an early lead, but Kate Malytska (Brooklyn, NY ), the keeper for City, made the save. The Cougars had another opportunity in the 13th minute. Salcedo took a corner kick that sailed over the keeper, but just missed the far side post before going over the end line.
With 7:31 left in the half, the Beavers made their move and took the lead. The ball was lobbed into the box by the CCNY midfield. Kristina Phu (Jackson Heights, NY) took control of the ball and made an attempt on goal that was saved by Cougars goalie Jasmine Rodriguez. Rodriguez could not hold onto the ball and it fell to Tabitha Azor (Brooklyn, NY), who settled the ball right in front of the goal, and tapped it in for the eventual game-winning goal.
"The goal gave us strength," said Subia. "It gave us strength to keep on fighting."
Shakera Ho-Sang had the last opportunity in the half for the Cougars to tie the game. In the 38th minute, Medgar was on a strong attack. After the ball was battered around by the Beaver defense, it was settled by Ho-Sang right in front of the goal, with the goalie out of position. Her attempt was sent wide right, just missing the post. The rest of the half was back and forth, with no team able to gain an advantage.
In the half, the Cougars had nine shots, with four on goal. They were led by Salcedo’s two shots on goal. The Beavers had a total of four shots and two on goal. Subia had three shots and one shot on goal. Malytska had four saves in goal for the Beavers.
The second half was hotly contested, with neither team gaining an advantage. The Cougars had two opportunities to tie the score, but couldn’t put the ball in the net. The first of their opportunities came in the 9th minute. Harris crossed to Salcedo in front of the net. The ensuing shot went just wide. In the 40th minute, Medgar attempted to strike again. A yellow card on Subia gave the Cougars a free kick just outside of the box. Harris’ shot went just high, off the top of the cross bar. The rest of the half was a back and forth affair. In the half, the Cougars took seven shots, led by Salcedo and Harris, each with two. Only one Cougar shot was on goal in the second half. The Beavers played defensively in the second half, taking just two shots, both on goal. Malytska had 5 saves to halt the Cougar offense.
****Courtesy of CUNY Athletics****