SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Junior Abby Lewis scored the go-ahead goal late to lead the Skidmore College women's soccer team onto a pivotal 1-0 Liberty League shutout victory over Union at Wachenheim Field on Wednesday evening.

In a back-and-forth match with terrific defensive plays from both sides, it was the Thoroughbreds (7-3-4, 4-1-2 Liberty League) who finally broke through in the 75th minute after taking advantage of an untimely defensive foul by the Garnet Chargers (8-5-3, 3-2-2 Liberty League), which gifted a short free kick from just outside the box to set up the game winning goal.

With the victory, Skidmore are now in sole control of the third seed and controls their destiny on securing home field advantage in the first round of the conference tournament next month.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Lewis nearly scored initially in the 12^th minute after receiving a perfectly-placed through ball from senior Madison Hallet in transition before dribbling around the Union keeper, however a terrific play at the line by a Garnet Charger defender booted the shot out of bounds to deny the goal.
• Towards the end of the half, Skidmore responded with a team save of their own in the 44^th minute when sophomore Kaelyn Greene stepped up at the line to deflect a point-blank shot attempt by Union off a corner kick to keep the game deadlocked entering halftime.
• At intermission, senior goalie Avery Rogers tacked on a pair of saves in the 18^th and 36^th minutes to help keep the Union offense at bay.
• The Thoroughbreds broke through in the 75^th minute after capitalizing on a Garnet Chargers foul on Lewis just outside the box. Fellow junior Hazel Aiello took the ensuing short free kick and delivered a perfect ball to Lewis, who rose for a header that deflected off the crossbar and in.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Rogers finished with three saves to earn her fourth win and second shutout on the season.
• Lewis scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season, and 16^th of her career. The junior currently ranks second in the conference in goals and third in total points.
• Aiello now has three assists on the season and five in her career.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds host top-seeded No. 25 Vassar on Saturday for senior day at 2 PM. With a victory, Skidmore can officially clinch a playoff spot while keeping their bid for a top-two seed and a first round bye alive.