Farmingdale State - 1, Merchant Marine - 0
Farmingdale, N.Y. - Scoreless early in the second half, Farmingdale State senior forward Julissa Martinez (Brentwood, N.Y.) registered the game-winning goal, off the feed from freshman midfielder Alyse Rivera (Manhattan, N.Y.), to lead the women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Merchant Marine on Saturday afternoon. The Rams improved to 2-0 in Skyline Conference play, while the USMMA dropped to 0-2.
The Mariners (5-2) came out quickly as they attempted four shots in the first 15 minutes, including one on target that was stopped by senior goalkeeper Lindsey Jolly (Massapequa, N.Y.).
Over the next 13 minutes, Rivera took three straight shots on goal but Merchant Marine sophomore goalie Margaret Ripperger (McKinney, TX) saved each one.
The Rams (2-6-1) attempted the final four shots of the first half but were unable to score as the game entered halftime, 0-0.
Just 3:13 into the second half, Farmingdale State junior midfielder Elizabeth Shields (Shoreham, N.Y.) sent a ball ahead for Martinez who drove up field. After the first shot was stopped by Ripperger, Rivera corralled the rebound and kicked the ball towards Martinez while falling to the ground. Martinez tipped the ball in on the goal line to put the Rams in front, 1-0.
Farmingdale State controlled play for the majority of the second half, outshooting Merchant Marine, 15-1, and attempting five corner kicks.
The Mariners made a push in the final minutes but were unable to get a shot on net as FSC went on for the 1-0 victory.
Martinez now has 12 game-winning goals in her career at Farmingdale State, a mark that ranks second on the all-time record list. She is just four behind Ashlee Thompson's (2012-15) record of 16.
Jolly (1-1) recorded one save and picked up the shutout. Ripperger made 12 saves in the loss for USMMA.
The FSC women's soccer team next travels to play conference opponent St. Joseph's-Brooklyn on Wednesday, September 28th at 7:00 p.m.
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