Undefeated Women’s Soccer Shuts Out 6th Ranked Mohawk
Staff Writer
Hudson Valley’s Women’s Soccer team defeated Mohawk Valley on Wednesday 1-0 to improve to 7-0 on the season.
“We shutout a nationally ranked team,” said Head Coach Jay Pokines. “This is my tenth year here and it’s my first time beating [Mohawk Valley].”
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said freshman Emily Swanson. Swanson knocked the ball out of the area in front of the goal, in a last minute attempt for Mohawk Valley to tie the game.
Colleen Bowden scored the lone goal of the game.“That header was gorgeous,” Pokines said about Bowden’s goal, just eight minutes into the game.
Bowden’s goal was assisted by Emily Wickert on a cross that Bowden headed in.
“It was exactly how we executed it in practice,” said Pokines. “We created havoc just like we wanted to, and Colleen put it in the back of the net.”
“That was impressive!” said freshman Emily Mitchell. “After that, it was a little scary because of how many goals are scored right after each other, but as time went by we were fine,” she said.
After the early goal, neither team could score. Hudson Valley goalkeeper Kate Sullivan had seven saves.
“After a while, we fell into a defensive formation. We wanted to defend the lead in the second half,” Pokines said.
“Kate was fantastic,” said Pokines, “and it helps the team and me as a coach, that we have two starters,” referring to the ability of Sullivan and Hudson Valley’s other goalkeeper, Emily Taplin.
“It started to get a little nerve racking at the end there,” said Pokines. “[Mohawk Valley was] constantly pressuring us, but [Swanson’s] kick out sealed it.”
“Without the help of my teammates, I wouldn’t have gotten it out,” said Swanson. “I was more confident with them in the area.”
“Today we can celebrate,” said Mitchell, “but tomorrow we will regroup, and Friday we are back at it, to prepare for [Herkimer].”
Hudson Valley will face Herkimer on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 5 p.m.. Herkimer is ranked number four in the country for the NJCAA Division III.
The Vikings have outscored their opponents 30-1 in their seven wins. “We want to ride the high,” Pokines said.
“We keep building confidence with every game,” said Pokines. “We have continued to improve and we’re not done.”
Hudson Valley is now at the halfway point in their schedule, and Pokines says they have a long road ahead.
“Hopefully we can keep the winning going,” said Pokines. “We are just going to take it one game at a time.”