Release courtesy of ACPHS Athletics

ACPHS Women's Soccer won their semi-final matchup with Pratt today 7-2. With the win, the Panthers move on to play the SUNY-ESF Mighty Oaks in the HVIAC Tournament Championship tomorrow at 12pm. After today's game, Albany moved to 10-4-1 overall, while the Cannoneers finished their season with a record of 3-8-2.

The Panthers enjoyed the bulk of possession most of the game, but it was the Cannoneers who struck first in the 12^th minute. Cannoneer midfielder Audrey Howard curled a long pass around the ACPHS defense which put senior forward Jen Klockner free on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Sally Slowinski (Colrain, MA / Mohawk Trail) came out to try and stop the shot, but Klockner rolled it under her to give Pratt a 1-0 lead.

The lead would not last though, thanks to a phenomenal goal by freshman defender Emily Linehan (Massapequa, NY / Plainedge High). Junior Erin Tersegno (Webster, NY / Webster Thomas) won a free kick for Albany about 35 yards away from goal. Linehan took the spot kick and hit it as sweet as anyone, placing the ball into the upper-right hand corner of the net and giving Pratt keeper Morgan Holub no chance.

ACPHS had a chance to go 2-1 up only minutes later when they were awarded a penalty kick thanks to a dangerous run by junior Molly Mancini (Galway, NY / Galway). Mancini took the kick, but hit it straight at Holub who stayed rooted to her original spot. But the Panthers would gain their first lead in the 20^th minute, thanks to another free kick. This time it was Tersegno who buried it, from about ten yards closer than Linehan but into the same right-hand corner.

ACPHS got their third goal from star junior Katie Benson (Clifton Park, NY / Shenendehowa) in the 30^th minute, When Mancini poked a ball past the Cannoneer defense that Benson ran onto and slotted past Holub. Pratt cut the Albany lead to 3-2 shortly thereafter, thanks to a 2^nd goal from Klockner, but Tersegno got that goal right back before the close of the half.

With a 4-2 lead entering the 2^nd half, the Panthers were comfortable keeping possession, and taking their chances when Pratt switched off. In the half, both Benson and Tersegno completed their hat tricks with two goals and a goal respectively. On the game, Tersegno and Benson had matching score lines of three goals, one assist, and sophomore Sydney Rule (Ballston Spa, NY / Ballston Spa) recorded two assists on the day. In 90 minutes of action, Albany keeper Slowinski made four saves and moved her record on the year to 8-2-0.

ACPHS opponent SUNY-ESF won their semi-final against King's College 3-0 earlier on Saturday. When the Mighy Oaks and Panthers faced off earlier this year in Syracuse, ESF also won 3-0. The winner of this matchup will get an automatic bid to USCAA nationals in Virginia Beach, VA.

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Release courtesy of Pratt Athletics

ALBANY, NY –  Playing their first ever postseason contest, the Pratt Institute women's soccer team dropped their Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference semifinal matchup against Albany Pharmacy 7-2 on Saturday afternoon at ACPHS Field.  Pratt concludes their 2017 season with a record of 3-8-2.

An aggressive offensive style gave Pratt the early lead, as Jen Klockner took a pass from Audrey Howard and beat the goalkeeper in the 12^th minute. The Panthers would respond quickly, with Emily Linehan tying the score at 1-1 in the 14^thminute. Albany Pharmacy would strike for two more goals in the first 30 minutes, increasing their lead to 3-1. Pratt would cut into the Panther lead in the 32^ndminute when Caitlyn Fortune assisted on Klockner's second goal of the afternoon. Following a fourth Panther goal, the Cannoneers headed into the half trailing 4-2.

In the second half, Pratt was able to create chances deep into the opposing end but was unable to connect. Three additional Albany Pharmacy goals concluded the scoring, making the final 7-2 in favor of Albany Pharmacy.

Following the match, coach Jonas Worth applauded his team's effort and how it sets up Pratt for the future.

"I cannot believe how well we played today, especially how confident we were at the start of the game. Beyond being able to hold them defensively, we opened the scoring brilliantly on a counterattack. Every player played beyond their capacity, and players like Harper McVey and Audrey Howard had their best performances of the year, but I can't say enough about our seniors, Jen Klockner and Taylor Chin. Jen seized all opportunities in front of the net, and Taylor had some tackles that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Based on today, I would be happy to add five more to the season, and honestly, this playoff experience will play well into next season. We are ready to be competitive every year in this league."