Bobcats Back-to-Back Conference Champions!

The Paul Smith's College women's soccer team won the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Championship over the weekend for the second time in two years.  The back-to-back league titles are the first for women's soccer and signify the dominance and success that the team has enjoyed in recent years. 

On Saturday, the Bobcats fought long and hard over the full 90 minutes against a tenacious Seawolves team from Southern Maine CC.  With the score knotted up at 0-0, freshman Leah Coulombe (Champlain, NY) drilled the ball past the Seawolves goalkeeper 6 minutes into the first overtime.  It was a textbook give and go, as Coulombe touched the ball to Grace Kronick (Cheshire, MA) who then dribbled down the sideline and sent a beautiful cross to Coulombe's feet.  Coulombe had no trouble zeroing in and putting the ball in the left side of the net from just inside the 18-yard line as the PSC bench and fans in attendance roared with delight. 

Both teams played a good game, with stats even across all major categories.  Senior goalkeeper Anna Thrasher (Leonia, NJ) earned the shutout with a 9-save performance.  Head Coach Bailey Walton had lots of positives to say about her defense and goaltending.  "Our defense won't get the stats, but to finish without giving up a goal is incredible.  I have to shout out our entire defensive unit who played so beautifully as a whole.  Our stopper – Haven Bradt, center back – Jamey Roy, and outside backs – Keeley VanValKenburgh, Maddy Jackson, and Abigail Bateman played as a complete unit.  And our senior goalkeeper Anna Thrasher is playing at the very top of her game right now."  Walton continued to heap praise upon her keeper from NJ.  "The leader and player that Anna has become is a direct result of her hard work and heart she puts into training every single day."

The Bobcats would then move on to the finals on Sunday, with another close game resulting in a 1-0 PSC victory.  This time, the Bobcats would play the NHTI Lynx, a perennial powerhouse in the YSCC.  Again, an even game saw the scales tip in favor of the Bobcats when Samantha Severing (Livingston Manor, NY) converted on a pass from Leah Coulombe in the 47^th minute.  After dissecting the Lynx defense with 3 strategic passes from Madison Reardon (Saranac Lake, NY) to Haven Bradt (Berea, OH) to Coulombe to Severing, Severing had space at the top corner of the 18.  She used a good first touch from her left to set up a chance on net from her powerful right foot.  Catching the defenders off guard, Severing launched a missile over the Lynx keeper, putting the Bobcats up 1-0. 

That was all they would need to ensure their first ever back-to-back league title, as Anna Thrasher would shut the door for Paul Smith's College.  Thrasher finished the game with 5 saves, earning her 7^th shutout of the season.  When asked about winning the championship for the second time in two years, Coach Walton brought it back to the importance of team culture.  "A top priority for me personally is our team culture and I think that is reflected when we play.  We had two tight games and when things were going tough the team had the ability to grind it out and lift each other up.  The team's character this season is what I am most proud of." 

That team culture has resulted in not only back-to-back league championships, but back-to-back appearances at the Unites States College Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament.  The Bobcats will head to Virginia Beach November 9-14 to compete at nationals for a chance to hoist the championship trophy.  They came up a game short last year, losing to ESF in the National Championship game.  With the skill, determination, and character of this group, they have a real shot at making that dream become a reality. 

For information on the USCAA National Tournament, please visit USCAA Fall Championships