By: Liam Hoffmann
GENESEO, NY-- The Brockport Golden Eagles fell to the defending SUNYAC champion Geneseo Knights 17-7. Geneseo's experience level, defensive intensity and fast start were too much to overcome for Brockport. Cassidy Burnash eclipsed 150 career goals as Brockport fell to 4-3 in conference play.
Cassidy Burnash eclipsed the 150 mark with her third-quarter goal and also added an assist. Alayna Foos had a hat trick. Goalie Arianna Reed didn't record her first save until late in the first quarter, but ended the contest with 15.
"We're learning a lot about each other in these big games at the end of the season," Burnash said. "We can learn from how we ended the game, what we're capable of."
Geneseo was a woman-up early after a Sarah Kilburn yellow card and Emily Salanger punched in to make it 1-0. Alaina Reina, who showed off her speed often on clears throughout the day, scored the second. Down the stretch of quarter one, Maddie Brown, Caitlyn Korzeniewski and Maira Brennan picked up scores and Salanger added a second.
The Knights had nine starters in their fourth or fifth years. The experience showed with their confidence and rhythm that was apparent from the first minute. They managed high-quality open shots early and often by way of precise and frequent passing alongside timely cuts. Brockport defenders were beaten 1-on-1 and thus many Knights' shooters were left with essentially only Reed to beat.
"They're very confident and move the ball well," Burnash said. "We started off a little slow."
Foos began her hat trick with a shot from distance late in the first. Tristan Davis scored the first goal of the second quarter to cut the lead to 7-2. It was all Geneseo for the rest of the half, though as Rachel Dickinson came off the bench and scored five minutes into the second. Megan Cook scored too before Salanger ended the frame with three straight goals that left Brockport in a 12-2 rut at the midway point. Reed had seven saves in the second quarter.
Brockport's play improved in half two as they outscored Geneseo 4-3 in the third quarter. Burnash opened the third with goal number 150 and Foos got her second of the day with a free position shot a minute and a half later. Haley Lewkovich scored a free position goal for the second straight game soon after. Burnash assisted Thowe before the third expired and Brockport trailed 15-6 with 15 minutes to play.
Salanger completed a sock trick (six goal performance) in the fourth while Lila Warner added another goal for Geneseo. Foos secured her hat trick with a free position goal with less than two minutes to play, finalizing the score at 17-7.
The Golden Eagles won't have long to think about it as the Oneonta Red Dragons will be in Brockport Saturday for another SUNYAC affair. That one will be live on 89.1 the Point with the pregame show beginning at 12:45 p.m.