MORRISTOWN, NJ --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College women's soccer opened their 2023 campaign Friday afternoon but could not keep pace with the Saint Elizabeth University Eagles (1-0), dropping a 14-0 non-conference decision from SEU Soccer Field.

The hosts grabbed the first goal 34 seconds in following a left-footed strike from Milagros Rodrigo-Franco. Leading 1-0, Saint Elizabeth hit a quickfire double with goals from Laila Kendle at 15:57 and Chelsea Sarmiento at 18:44. The Eagles added five more first-half goals past York goalkeeper Sofia Soric (0-1), making the score 8-0 at halftime. Rodrigo-Franco and Sarmiento each bagged braces, and Kendle completed her hattrick less than three minutes before the interval. For the Cardinals, forward Emelin Cajamarca paced the team with three shots on goal. Naomi Alejandra Rodriguez also chipped in with a shot.

Saint Elizabeth extended its lead to 10-0 twenty minutes after the restart following goals by Kaylee Davis and Kayanna Gayle. Strikes by Idalma Aguilar, Emily Fearon, and Olivia Alleyne made it 13-0 at the 79:01 mark. Eagles' midfielder Jenna Caruso finished off the final goal three minutes from full time.

"The positive is that this was the first time many of these athletes have played together. More than half of our team is new. There were some players that gave good effort through the end. Once we get everyone up to speed and the same effort across the board, the results will improve."-said head coach Winston Winston Willabus 

Outside of the scoreline, the Eagles held an advantage in shots (47-4), shots on target (22-3), and corners (6-1). In net, Soric and Kresanta Jones each made four saves for York, while Salma Ibrahim (1-0) recorded three saves for Saint Elizabeth. 

The Cardinals (0-1) return home to face the Medgar Evers College Cougars (0-0) in a non-conference battle on Saturday (Sept. 9) at 4 p.m. from Aviator Field.

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