Lady Bears Soccer Battles to Scoreless Draw with Briarcliffe

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's soccer team and Briarcliffe College squared off in a United States Collegiate Athletic Association showdown on a foggy Thursday evening at Aviator Field, but neither defense would surrender a goal, ending in a 0-0 deadlock after 110 minutes of play.

It is the second scoreless tie this season for the No. 18 ranked Lady Bears, who move to 2-2-2 on the season. No. 15 ranked Briarcliffe moves to 2-2-1.

Briarcliffe maintained a 15-7 shot advantage for the contest and remained the aggressor for the opening 45 minutes, outshooting St. Joseph's, 9-2, in the period, with junior goalkeeper Nicole Farinella (East Patchogue, NY/Bellport HS) making six saves to keep the Lady Bears in the contest.

St. Joseph's took to the offensive in the second half, pushing the Bulldogs back on their heels and finding more scoring opportunities, but unable to put any shots on frame in five attempts.

Neither team could spring anyone free in the overtime session, Briarcliffe registering the only official shot with just over a minute left to play and saved by Farinella, who finished with nine overall en route to her third shutout of the season.

Juniors Daniela Semilia (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Kearney) and Christina Abbate (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Kearney) and sophomores Shannon Rom (Rockaway Point, NY/Bishop Kearney) and Melissa Maloy (Staten Island, NY/St. John Villa) anchored the Lady Bear defense that clamped down on the Bulldog scoring opportunities, allowing only three shots on goal after halftime.

Freshman Pamela Chernyakhovsky (Brooklyn, NY/Leon M. Goldstein) had four shots to lead the offense, while Daniela Valencia (Corona, NY/Bayside HS) and Sabrina Gargano (Brooklyn, NY/Bishop Kearney) registered the lone Lady Bear shots on goal.

Kerri Biando paced the Briarcliffe offense with four shots, two coming on frame.

St. Joseph's returns to the field on Sunday, October 7th squaring off against borough rivals Brooklyn College for the second time this season. When the teams met earlier this season, they also played to a scoreless tie.