BEVERLY, Mass.- The Endicott women's soccer team hosted the Engineers of Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Sunday to kick off the 2014 campaign and found themselves locked in a physical battle for the majority of the contest. A first half goal in the 15th minute by the Engineers would hold up until the end as the Gulls fell 1-0 after 90 minutes of play. With the loss, the Gulls fall to 0-1-0 on the young season while RPI improves to 1-1-0.
The first half saw both teams establishing a physical tone early as RPI would finish the half with five fouls and Endicott with four. The Engineers were able to connect quick passes which led to quality scoring chances and offensive opportunities early. The first shot of the match came in the 10th minute at RPI's co-captain Dana Sailor (Londonderry, N.H.) missed on a one-timer that sailed wide left. Less than a minute later, senior co-captain Taylor Korytko (Chandler, Ariz.) fired off a shot that was low to the left post only to see Endicott keeper Katie Donnelly (Madison, Conn.) make a diving stop to her right to keep the match scoreless.
The Gulls would register their first shot of the contest in the 13th minute as sophomore Casey Mellen (Litchfield, N.H.) snapped a shot on goal from 25 yards out. RPI keeper Tori Riopelle (Ashburn, Va.) would make the first of five saves on the day to keep the Gulls off the scoreboard.
Two minutes later, Korytko would score the eventual game winning goal off of a free kick from roughly 35 yards out. Following an Endicott foul, the senior midfielder caught Donnelly just off her line and was able to lob an aggressive shot on net that beat the keeper high. The goal, Korytko's first of the season, was the 15th of her career and would prove to be the only scoring for either side in the rest of the match.
The Gulls would nearly net the equalizer just 45 seconds later as the offense was able to turn momentum and break out downfield with Madison McKinley (Shrewsbury, Mass.) cutting behind the defense. A beautiful through ball that saw McKinley heading towards net with just the keeper to beat would be called back as the sophomore was caught just offside.
The last true quality scoring chance of the half would come from the Engineers as Jessica Dabney (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) tried beating Donnelly near post. With a quality cross lofted into the box, Dabney crashed down and on the run, attempted to go near post but was denied by a sprawling save from Donnelly, one of her seven in the match.
For the half, RPI out-shot Endicott 10-3 while both squads logged two corners a piece.
The second half would be another equal battle as the two squads exchanged blows. Both keepers would be forced to make three saves in the frame as each shut the opponent out. RPI would see the benefit of two extra corner kicks in the frame, but the Endicott defense held strong to cut down the Engineer attack. RPI's best second half scoring chance would come in the 51st minute as Sailor was able to put a header on frame off of a free kick. Donnelly would stand tall again as the keeper made a diving save to maintain the one goal deficit.
The Gulls saw their best chance come off the foot of junior LeeAnn Card (Paxton, Mass.). The midfielder attempted to catch Riopelle creeping off of her line from 25 yards out as she lofted a shot on frame. The freshman keeper diagnosed the play quickly and was able to recover and make the save to preserve what would go on to be her first career win and shutout.
Endicott head coach Jodi Kenyon provided an honest assessment post-match when asked about the team's performance. "As is to be expected in the first match of the season, there were some moments where we connected well but we just couldn't net the equalizer," Kenyon stated. "There were times that were good and definitely others that show we still have a bit to work on. We know that there is a long season ahead of us and I know that we will continue to put in the work that is necessary to get us to where we ultimately want to be."
The Gulls were led offensively by Card and Mellen as each player tallied two shots. RPI saw Korytko net her goal and also record seven total shots, two of which were on goal. Riopelle would make five saves in the win as Donnelly would make seven in the losing effot.
Endicott is now off until Wednesday when they will head across the harbor to take on the Vikings of Salem State at 6:00 p.m. The next home contest for the Gulls is next Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against Keene State. The Engineers return to action on Wednesday as well as they play host to SUNY Plattsburgh at 7:30 p.m.
