The Saint Rose Chronicle

Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Geoff Arbuckle Senior midfielder Sami Brown battles for possesstion.

Media Credit: Geoff Arbuckle Junior forward Kailey Egbert attempts to keep ball in bounds.

The women's soccer team defeated the Bryant Bulldogs Sunday to become the first athletic program at the college to win a Northeast-10 Conference title.

The Lady Knights solidified their number one seed spot in the NCAA tournament and will play at home next Sunday, November 11.

"Finally, it's about time," said Lauren Steinberg, senior goaltender. "It feels good. We really worked hard to get here."

Steinberg was strong in goal for the team as they defeated Bryant 2-1. Steinberg was later named most valuable player; a recognition many felt was deserved.

"She is so committed and brings so much heart through her belief in her whole team," said Alison Schukal, a sister of Steinberg.

Saint Rose broke the scoreless tie at around the 15 minute mark when junior forward Sami Brown lifted a shot from the right edge of the goal box over Bryant keeper Jessica Clark into the top left corner of the net.

Brown was fifth in scoring this season in the conference and fourth in goals with 11.

Within two minutes of taking the lead, Saint Rose gave up the tying goal when Bryant's Tricia Spada found the open field and blasted a shot top corner from about thirty feet out.

Both teams fought to a stand-off at the end of the half.

The second half resumed and Saint Rose quickly took possession and set up camp in Bryant's defensive zone. The Lady Knights took control and dominated the possession clock for much of the second half.

Countless times their attack penetrated the defense and created scoring chances including a shot off both the post and crossbar. Despite the aggressive attack of Saint Rose, Clark was up to the task.

Clark led the conference with a save percentage of .964, only allowing one goal in ten games played. Clark gave up two Sunday.

Saint Rose finally broke though and scored with 3:36 left in the game off a scrum in front of Bryant's net. After the corner by Brown went through the outreached arms of Clark and off a few Saint Rose forwards, senior midfielder Lindsay Bove angled in the winner from about ten feet out.

The girls were ecstatic in celebration knowing they were three and a half minutes away from the program's first ever conference title. The crowd roared in relief as the team's hard work paid off.

Once the game was over the crowd was eager to congratulate.

"It's so wonderful to be with these kids," said R. Mark Sullivan, president of The College of Saint Rose. "They played their hearts out; it's the best you could ask for."

With the victory the team takes the top spot in the region for the NCAA tournament and will host a game at the Albany Academy for Girls Sunday.

This season the team recorded a 17-0-2 record and scored 51 goals in those 19 games, second only to Franklin Pierce. They allowed a conference low seven goals.

Steinberg was excited about the win and her MVP selection.

"They kept the ball on Bryant the whole second half," said Allison Bianco, a senior marketing and communications major at the University of Albany. "I'm so proud of Lauren, and she deserved MVP for all her good work."

The Lady Knights will have a break from now until Sunday. They will receive a bye from the first round for ranking first in the region. A week from now they will begin their efforts to reach the final four in Alabama.

"I think this is the team that can go all the way," Steinberg said.

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