SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y – Junior forward Emma Basso's goal in the 50th minute proved to be the difference for the Skidmore College women's soccer team, opening 2017 with a 2-1 victory against Bridgewater State at Wachenheim Field on a sunny Friday afternoon.
 
Skidmore improves to 1-0, winning its second season opener in a row. Bridgewater State falls to 0-1.
 
Senior midfielder Courtney Shaw fed Basso with a low cross from outside the box. Basso laced it home, finishing low past the diving goalkeeper.
 
Skidmore struck with a goal 3:26 into the contest, thanks to a miscue by the Bears defense. On the attack, Shaw crossed it from near the right corner arc. The Bridgewater State defender tried to clear the ball with her foot, but it rolled backwards into the far corner of the net, past Bears keeper Lauren DeSousa.
 
The Bears struck back just over 10 minutes later. Bears forward Tess Nagle, coming down the right side of the box, beat Skidmore senior goalkeeper Alyssa Rollins with a low shot to her left.
 
Shaw nearly tallied one of her own to begin the second half, her shot from distance hitting low on the crossbar, nearly corralling back into net. The Skidmore defense stood strong, allowing just three shots on goal in the second half to pick up the victory.
 
Skidmore held a healthy 30-11 shot advantage, including an 11-8 edge in shots on goal.
 
Rollins picked up the victory, making seven saves. Her counterpart, DeSousa, also tallied seven saves in the decision.
 
The Thoroughbreds are right back in action on Saturday, as they host New England College at Wachenheim Field at 2 p.m.