Bobcats Outclass Panthers at Home in Stunning Fashion

Paul Smiths, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College women's soccer team looked very much like one of the top contenders in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) on Friday night as they beat Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 7-0 at home during Homecoming & Family Weekend.

In front of a tenacious and supportive crowd, the 7-0 drubbing was the biggest defeat the Panthers have had in their time in the USCAA.  The Bobcats, on the other hand, are all too familiar with blowout wins this season, having beaten their previous three Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) opponents by a combined score of 20-1 (6-1 vs. UMA, 5-0 vs. NHTI, 9-0 vs. Hampshire).  The Bobcats are the best team in not only the conference, but arguably the nation, and the 7-0 result against what was the best team in the USCAA last year only proves that.  

"Our team had a lot of emotions going into this game with one of our top rivals," reflected Paul Smith's College women's soccer coach Bailey Walton. "We played with a ton of heart and had a lot of fun with our offense," she added.  Fun for the Bobcats means misery for opposing teams, as their craft and artistry on the field is apparent to anyone who watches them play.  

The Bobcats got things started twelve minutes into the game as last year's YSCC Offensive Player of the Year Hayleigh Gates (West Winfield, NY) blasted a shot inside the near post from the corner of the 18' after Nat Ross (Springfield, VA) stepped up to make a nice play on defense and deliver a foot-to-foot pass to the Bobcat forward.  A few minutes later Gates would burn two defenders on her way to the net.  Instead of taking the bad angle shot she unselfishly made the smart play and slotted the ball to the penalty area where senior captain Grace Kronick (Cheshire, MA) knocked it in.  Gates would pick up her second assist and fourth point of the game after electric newcomer Alana Cunningham (Norfolk, VA) made a textbook overlapping run and torched the Panthers defense before smashing the ball into the near side upper-ninety.  Just five minutes later, the Panthers would concede an own goal as Leah Coulombe (Jay, NY) sent a dangerous cross into the box to make it 4-0 heading to the half. 

It was more of the same in the second half as the Bobcats outclassed the Panthers in every single facet of the game.  Cunningham picked up an assist after sliding a perfect lead pass to Katrien Roefs (Bainbridge, NY) who tucked it by the opposing keeper with ease.  Just 20 seconds later, Cunningham would pick up her second of the game as Grace Kronick sent a beautiful through ball to the freshman striker who outpaced the defender and touched it by the Panther goalkeeper.  She completed her hat trick in the 79th minute as she launched a missile over the keeper after Kronick found her feet on a set-play throw-in.  The hat trick is the first of Cunningham's career, but as fans chanted "MESSI, MESSI, MESSI" throughout the match it became clear that the striker from Virgnia will have plenty more days like this one in the games to come.  

"Alana had a phenomenal hat trick tonight," said coach Walton.  "It's been great to see her perform so well as a first-year student athlete for us.  She plays incredibly unselfishly and has terrific game IQ."  That's high praise coming from the back-to-back USCAA Women's D2 Coach of the Year.  

Peyton Hoffman (Ilion, NY) earned her third shutout in as many games, locking up the back end with 11 saves.  The defensive group of Jamey Roy (Anchorage, AK), Keeley VanValKenburgh (Gilboa, NY), Haven Bradt (Berea, OH), Abigail Bateman (Edmeston, NY), and Nat Ross were also outstanding once again.  That core group has allowed only two goals in six games this season and is one of the main reasons why the Bobcats look poised to make another deep run in the national tournament in November.  

Grace Kronick, when asked about what this win meant on this stage and against this team, had the following to say.  "As a senior captain, there's nothing quite like the feeling of leading my team to victory against the defending champs at home with a massive crowd cheering us on during Parents/Homecoming Weekend.  It's an electifying experience that fills me with immense pride and joy and it's a testament to our hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of our community.  I couldn't be more proud of our team," said Kronick.

The Bobcats travel to Southern Maine CC next weekend where they'll take on the SeaWolves in another important YSCC matchup on Saturday at 12pm noon.  You can follow the team on Instagram at @paulsmiths_wsoccer or follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for scores, updates, schedules, and 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.