Oneonta, NY – An early goal was all that was needed as the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team outlasted Hartwick College 1-0 to sweep its pair of games in the Mayor's Cup Tournament.
The Golden Knights improved to 2-1-0 on the season and will play their fourth game in nine days on Wednesday when the team travels to fellow North Country foe Plattsburgh State.
Hartwick was whistled for offsides five times in the game, including twice in the first few minutes, with the second whistle proving costly. That call gave the Golden Knights possession near the top of the penalty box in their defensive end and off the free kick, the team went up the left side line trying to recreate some offense. Callie Abel was able to move up the side line with possession and created a transition opportunity, as freshman Thea Armistead threw up her hand in hopes of getting a pass. Armistead began her run before the pass came from Abel, but fortunately timed it perfectly to split a pair of Hartwick defenders as the ball came her way, creating just enough space to get an open look on the goal once inside the penalty area. She hit a hard groundball from about 15 yards out on the left side of the box and went to the opposite corner, knocking it in off the post at 5:54 for a 1-0 Clarkson lead.
That proved to be the only shot that went on goal for the Knights, as the Green and Gold was able to weather whatever offense Hartwick put together. The Hawks had five shots in the first half and five more in the second, as well as five corner kick opportunities in the last 45 minutes. Much of those chances came in a 10 minute stretch at the start of the first half, though Hartwick did have two shots in the final seven minutes of the contest, one which was saved by Clarkson goalkeeper Kenzie Roth and the other going out right.
Hartwick ended with a 10-3 edge in shots and a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal, as well as a 7-2 lead in corners. Roth made six saves for her first shutout of the year, while Kelsey Bollen made no saves.
