Women’s Soccer Earns Tie With ACPHS

Paul Smiths, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College women's soccer team battled Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) to a hard-fought tie on Wednesday night to earn an important point in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) standings.

Both teams had chances on net, but the best opportunity came from a free kick from the corner of the 18 after Pailin Hample (Long Lake. NY) was fouled on her way to goal in the no 7th minute.  In the ensuing set piece, Micaela Diller (Marlton, NJ) stepped up to the ball and blasted a shot that took Kiah Klauss, the visiting keeper, by surprise.  As spectators and players alike watched it soar over Klauss, everyone in attendance held their collective breath.  As the ball arced down it smashed the left post and bounced into the 6 yard box.  Matti Swan (Schenectady, NY) and Leah Coulombe (Jay, NY) both had opportunities, but a goal-line stance by the Panther defense kept the ball just out of the net.

"This game against Albany was very much like our first time playing them," said head coach Kelvey McGinnis.  "We created great opportunities in the offensive half but just couldn't find the back of the net.  The team is playing beautiful soccer so all we need to do is keep pushing until we see the goals this team deserves!"

Bobcat keeper Peyton Hoffman (Ilion, NY) was terrific in net as she stopped all seven shots on target for her fourth clean sheet of the campaign.

"Our entire team communicated effectively, with the back line holding strong like a brick wall throghout the game," said Hoffman.

Outside back Vanessa Erkson (Cherry Valley, NY) has become a vital member of the Bobcat defensive core, chasing down the opposition and using her favored left foot to distribute balls and clear chances.

"We fought hard the whole game," said Erkson.  "We dominated offensively and contained well defensively, now we just need to find the back of the net together and we'll be all set," she added.

The tie moves the Bobcats into second place in the West Division of the YSCC, three points behind the Panthers.  A win against the Word of Life Bible Institute (WOLBI) Huskies next Saturday on Senior Day would go a long way toward earning the #1 seed in the West for the Bobcats.

You can follow the women's soccer team on Instagram at @paulsmiths_wsoccer or follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for scores, highlights, pictures, and much more!

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.