Golden Eagles off to 4-2 start

Tied 1-1 at half-time with the fifth ranked team in the country before losing 3-1, SUNY Brockport's women's soccer team rebounded with a 2-1 win the next day against New Paltz to improve their record to 4-2 on the young 2006 season.

After giving up a goal four minutes into the first contest, Brockport tied the game with less than six minutes remaining in the first half. Senior Laura Sawyer's shot rebounded to Jill Neidlinger who bounced her shot in off a defender.

The Red Dragons extended their SUNYAC regular season winning streak to 85 consecutive wins with a pair of tallies - one on a penalty kick - in the second half. The last time Oneonta lost a league match was to the Golden Eagles in 1998.

"I'm happy with our start," said 19-year head coach Joan Schockow. "Last year I said we were very, very young. This year I think we're just very young, but they're coming out more mature and smarter on and off the field. We had our chances and didn't back down the last 15 minutes even though we were down by two goals."

Among the newcomers are Brockport High graduate Ashley Holler at center-back. "I transferred in last spring from Nazareth," said Holler after a game. "I was commuting 25 minutes every day and I like the bigger school better - plus this is my hometown. Last year I played midfield, but I like playing in back and being the last line on defense."

"She practiced with us in the spring and beginning in the summer I e-mailed and asked if she would like to move back," said Schockow. "She has come in replacing a three and a half year starter in Casey Andrieu and handled herself very well."

The Golden Eagles return home after three consecutive road games September 29 and 30 for Homecoming/Parent Family Weekend against Oswego and Cortland respectively.

September 24, 2006