Skidmore upsets #13 Union in Liberty League semifinal
Ken DeBolt
GENEVA, N.Y.—Skidmore College upset 13th-ranked Union College 2-0 in the semifinals of the Liberty League Women’s Soccer Tournament on William Smith Field today. The win ups the Thoroughbreds’ record to 13-4-3, while the Dutchwomen slip to 14-4-1.
In the 39th minute, Skidmore senior Rachael Sushner (Winston Churchill/Potomac, Md.) pounced on a defensive turnover by Union near the top of the box, winning a one-on-one with sophomore goalie Abby Stohler (Conard/West Hartford, Conn.). Sushner’s team-leading 10th goal of the season proved to be all of the offense the Thoroughbreds would need.
The No. 3 seed in the tournament added to its lead in the 82nd minute. Sophomore Erin Donnellan (Walpole/Walpole, Mass.) sent a long, looping volley from the center line on the left side of the field to a spot on the right wing near the top of the box. Stohler came off her line to try and play the ball, but first-year Elena Stansky (Worcester Academy/Worcester, Mass.) beat her to the ball for her third goal of the year.
Stohler finished with three saves. Thoroughbred first-year goalie Meghan Sleezer (Gloversville/Gloversville, N.Y.) made three saves to earn the shutout. She was also aided by a pair of team saves, one in the sixth minute and one in the 89th.
Skidmore will square off with top seeded and fourth-ranked William Smith in the championship match on Nov. 8. The two squads, who played 100 minutes to a scoreless draw in the regular season, will meet at 11 a.m. on Cozzens Field.
