King's (N.Y.) Downs Women's Soccer in HVIAC Play

BROOKLYN, N.Y.—Despite rallying from two goals down to tie the game at 3-3, the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's soccer team fell to The King's College (N.Y.), 5-3, in Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (HVIAC) action on Thursday night at Aviator Sports and Events Center.

Both teams entered the matchup separated by just two spots in the latest United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Coaches' Poll but the No. 10 Lady Bears (8-3, 1-2 HVIAC) find their three-game win streak snapped by the No. 12 Lady Lions (6-3, 3-1 HVIAC) who are now winners of five of the last six.

King's got on the board quickly scoring in the 5th minute on a Genesis Castrellon goal and built a two-goal advantage on a Caitlin Essex strike in the 14th minute.

The Lady Bears cut the deficit in half on a Cansu Usta (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fort Hamilton) goal in the 21st minute putting the ball in the back of the net on a Pamela Chernyakhovsky (Brooklyn, N.Y./Leon M. Goldstein) throw-in.

Castrellon weaved through the Lady Bears defense in the 35th minute and bumped the Lions lead back to two goals, before Chernyakhovsky sent St. Joseph's into the lockers down just one, 3-2, converting on a penalty kick for her 13th goal of the season.

Usta found the equalizer just seven minutes into the second stanza, scoring her NCAA Division III-leading 24th goal of the season, assisted by Chernyakhovsky and Shannon Rom (Breezy Point, N.Y./Bishop Kearney).

The game remained level for 20 minutes, but it was King's who controlled possession throughout most of the contest and had the better share of scoring opportunities, outshooting St. Joseph's, 27-11, and held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The Lions finally broke through in the 73rd minute on an Essex direct free kick for her second goal. Two minutes later, Essex tacked on an insurance goal with a header off a set piece to complete her hat trick.

King's completes their regular season league schedule in second place, which would become official with a Berkeley loss. The Lady Bears currently sit in third in the league standings and clinch a playoff berth with a win over Berkeley or a Yeshiva loss to Berkeley.

St. Joseph's has nearly a week off before returning to the pitch on Tuesday, October 15th, hosting borough rival Medgar Evers College at Aviator Sports and Events Center at 8 p.m.