Bobcats Rout Knights in Home Opener

Paul Smiths, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College women's soccer team opened their home play with a win on Wednesday night, defeating Vermont State University at Randolph 4-0.

Pailin Hample (Long Lake, NY) opened the scoring after a nice setup from Matti Swan (Schenectady, NY) just 13:07 into the game.  Swan would get her first of the night just four minutes later on a beautiful through ball from first year player Scarlett Faber (Wadhams, NY).  The Bobcat attack stalled a bit later in the first half but still held the 2-0 advantage going into the second.

"We struggled in the first half to connect, but the second half brought new energy and we found our stride," said assistant coach Natalee Wrege.  "We needed this win to set the tone for our  games later this week including SUNY Potsdam and SUNY ESF," she added, as the Bobcats look forward to two key out-of-conference matchups.

The second half started with more spark as Swan scored her second of the night and fifth of the campaign.  Sean is tied for third in points in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Women's DII stat category with 14 as the has led the Bobcats to a three game winning streak, scoring all five of her goals over those three games.

Hample then scored a highlight reel goal in the 66th minute as she jumped up on a bad clear and chipped the goalie from outside the corner of the 18 to the delight of the home crowd.

Hample echoed the sentiments of Wrege, stating "It started it out a little slow but we really picked it up in the second half and played some great soccer.

Goalkeeper Peyton Hoffman (Ilion, NY) earned her third clean sheet in as many games.  The back line, centered around junior captain Carley Simmons (Heuvelton, NY), never gave the Knights much of a chance as they controlled play and distributed the ball well.

"Every person on our team has been working hard on and off the field and they have all contributed to our early season win streak," said Simmons.  "We are finding our groove and team chemistry to guide us for the rest of the season."

The Bobcats are 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC).  They travel to SUNY Potsdam on Friday at 6pm before hosting SUNY ESF in the Barkeater Cup at home on Sunday at noon.

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.