By JACKSON WANG
Sports Editor
For the Saint Rose women’s soccer team, this year’s trip to the NCAA Final Four in Pensacola, FL would be the one for the ages. For the past three seasons, the Golden Knights have gone home early losing in the final four round and failing to reach the national championship game.
This year would be different. The Golden Knights defeated Armstrong Atlantic 2-0 on Thursday to reach the national title game for the first time in history of their program.
On Saturday, the Golden Knights defeated the two-time defending national champions Grand State Valley 2-1 to capture the first national championship in school history.
“These girls played with such heart and class today. I’m just so thrilled for all of them and everyone that is a part of our Saint Rose soccer family,” said Saint Rose head coach Laurie Darling Gutheil.
Grand Valley State came out strong, attacking on their first possession and throwing the first punches of this game. The Lakers were able to get the ball into the Golden Knights’ territory and deliver several shots at Saint Rose’s goalie Jessica Gerski. Strong defensive play by the Golden Knights kept the Lakers off the scoreboard keeping the game scoreless.
Eight minutes into the game, the Golden Knights nearly took the lead after a shot, which was set up by a deflection, by sophomore Sydney Bond that hit off the top of the crossbar.
Both teams used their speed to try to gain an advantage in the game. In the first half, Grand Valley State was pushing the ball down the field and several times looked like they were going to score. Saint Rose responded to the Lakers’ attack by counterattacking and setting up opportunities to get shots on goal.
“This group is all about the team. It’s not about individual, it’s not about anything but what they do collective as a team,” said Gutheil.
In the 32nd minute of the game, Grand Valley State got on the scoreboard first. Ashley Botts delivered a strike into the left side of the goal to give the Lakers the 1-0 lead.
The Golden Knights nearly tied the game one minute with a strike from sophomore Carmelina Puopolo, but a save was made by Lakers’ goalie Chelsea Parise.
Saint Rose would go into halftime down 1-0 to Grand Valley State.
The second half started with the Golden Knights pushing the ball into the Lakers’ territory and attacking early in the half.
In the 47th minute, Puopolo tied the game at 1-1 for the Golden Knights with a strike that hit the upright side of the goal.
“I told them right before they left the huddle, they were going to get a goal within the first five minutes. ‘You’re going to get a goal’ and they did,” said Gutheil.
Saint Rose would continue to attack the Lakers’ defense and what happens next will forever be remembered in the history of Saint Rose women’s soccer.
In the 55th minute, the Golden Knights took their first lead of the game. Puopolo received a pass from junior Molly Harpster, made a move around a defender and deliver a shot into the back of the net.
This would be Puopolo’s 19th goal of the season and one that she’ll never forget.
“We had so much heart in this game and the thing is that we didn’t give up,” said Puopolo.
Grand Valley State did not go away though. The Lakers kept on attacking and pushing the ball into the Golden Knights territory. Several times it looked like the Lakers were going to tie the game, but great effort from Saint Rose’s defense and great play from Gerski kept the Lakers’ to one goal.
Grand Valley State finished the game with seven shots on goal, compared to Saint Rose’s six shots on goal.
In the 75th minutes, Grand Valley State brought on three new players in effort to tie the game. Golden Knights’ defense bent, but never broke in the second half keeping the Lakers’ off the scoreboard.
Saint Rose would hang on to defeat Grand Valley State 2-1 en to their first national championship in school history.
“We’re so thrilled to bring this back to Albany. We’re so proud to bring it back to the capital district and especially to our home, the College of Saint Rose,” said Gutheil.
