Maher leads Sage with Skyline Opening Day win at St. Joe's, 3-1

September 20, 2014

Maher leads Sage with Skyline Opening Day win at St. Joe's, 3-1

Russell Sage College

3-2-1, SKY 1-0

Saint Joseph's University, New York - Long Island

1-5-1, SKY 0-1

90:00 - 2nd

Russell Sage College (3-2-1, SKY 1-0)

Saint Joseph's University, New York - Long Island (1-5-1, SKY 0-1)

Patchogue, NY – After taking a trailing 1-0 on the road at St. Joseph's College (LI), the Sage women's soccer team reeled off three unanswered goals to top St. Joe's, 3-1 in the 2014 Skyline Conference opener for the Gators. Sage now stands at 3-2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Skyline Conference, while SJC's team stands at 1-5-1 overall and 0-1 in the league.

Saturday's come from behind victory marks the second straight game the Gators have trailed and then tallied an impressive 3-0 run to finish the contest on the winning side.

"Today was the first complete game we have played," noted Head Sage Women's Soccer Coach, Andrew Gamarra. He added, "Defensively, we had to withstand the wind during the first half. St. Joe's players were very technical, and able to strike a ball from distance, posing a constant threat. Nicole Maher gave us time on the ball and enabled us to advance as a team. This was a good team win! We need to stay focused now and gear up for a tough week."

Gator junior captain Nicole Maher (Glen Cove, NY/Saint Dominic) finished the afternoon with a goal and assist and provided the spark needed to get Sage started conference play on a high note despite the Golden Eagles holding a 19-10 advantage in shots.

Senior midfielder Shelby Rupenthal (Albany, NY/Guilderland) connected for the tying goal on a pass from Maher at 36:11. Sophomore Savannah Mason (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) tallied what would be the game-winning goal at the 46:15 mark, just into the second half as she scored on the feed from sophomore Cassidy Bruen (Baldwinsville, NY/Baldwinsville). Maher wrapped the day with an insurance goal as she scored off a direct kick outside the box for her 20^th goal and 48^th career points.

Gator senior keeper Teagan Waddingham (Coeymans Hollow, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk) added her second straight win in the net as she turned away eight of the shots she faced and now has 246 career saves which ranks No. 4 all-time on the Sage career list.

A busy week awaits the Gators as they will host Green Mountain College on Tuesday, September 23 at South Colonie High School at 7 p.m. Followed by hosting New Jersey City University on Thursday, September 25 at Saint Rose's Plumeri Sports Complex at 8:15 p.m. The week closes with Sage visiting Farmingdale State on September 27 for a 2 p.m. Skyline Conference match.