BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The playoff-bound Sarah Lawrence women's soccer team wrapped up the non-conference portion of its schedule Monday with a 9-1 victory over Brooklyn at Brooklyn College Field. It is the Gryphons first-ever win over the Bulldogs.
IN SHORT
Sarah Lawrence (7-7) def. Brooklyn (3-11), 9-1
RECAP
After honoring its senior class moments before kickoff, Brooklyn scored the game's first goal in the ninth minute.
Sarah Lawrence, who entered the day looking to finish non-conference play with a .500 or better record for the first time in school history, scored the equalizer in the 14th minute, when
Sophia Spralja flicked in a header off a corner kick from
Tiffany McBrayer.
The Gryphons took the lead minutes later, as
Gaia Dennison ripped a shot from the left wing into the netting for her fourth goal of the year.
Sarah Lawrence turned it on in the second half, scoring seven more times.
Kiley Ritter, who was crowned Skyline Rookie of the Week for a third time on Monday, found the back of the net 3:15 into the second half, scoring off a through ball from
Lauren Ashby. The rookie later scored in the 62nd minute, tapping in a through ball from McBrayer.
Jordynn Figueroa scored her first goal of the year in the 64th minute, finishing an excellent cross from Spralja. Spralja scored again in the 66th minute, knocking in a header off another corner from McBrayer. The Gryphons scored 47 seconds later, when McBrayer netted her 10th goal of the season, finishing inside the box off a pass from classmate
River Pasquale.
McBrayer is the fourth Gryphon in team history to record at least three assists in a game, joining Spralja,
Tori Davis and
Eva Horstman. Of the group, McBrayer is the lone player to also record a goal in the game.
Pasquale scored her second collegiate goal in the 71st minute, knocking in a free kick from the left flank. Spralja completed the hat trick in the 75th minute, finishing a rebound after Pasquale had her initial shot bounce off the crossbar.
It is the first career hat trick for the senior, as she becomes the third Gryphon this season and the sixth all-time to record at least three goals in a game.
It is the second time this season that Sarah Lawrence has scored nine goals in a game. The Gryphons have now recorded 47 goals and 33 assists for 127 points this season, all new team records.
In addition to its strong play on offense, Sarah Lawrence was stout on the defensive end. After giving up a goal in the opening minutes, the Gryphons back line did a great job stifling Brooklyn's offensive attack. Goalkeeper
Madison Mertsch finished with five saves in the victory.
UP NEXT
Sarah Lawrence concludes the regular season on Wednesday (Oct. 24), hosting St. Joseph's Brooklyn at Fleming Field at 7 p.m. The two squads will square off for a chance to host their Skyline Tournament First Round matchup.