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The SUNY Plattsburgh women’s soccer team earned its fourth win of the season Tuesday against Colby-Sawyer College with help from sophomore forward Kirsten Villemaire, who scored her first collegiate hat trick in the 5-0 home win.
The Cardinals entered their final game of their nonconference schedule against Colby-Sawyer without scoring a single goal in their last two games against Middlebury and Skidmore. Plattsburgh State started Tuesday’s game in a similar fashion as the team entered the second half 0-0 despite taking 19 shots in the first period.
The first goal of the game was scored nine minutes into the second half by sophomore forward Emily Frodyma., her second goal of the season.
Villemaire added to the Cards’ lead with three goals and her first collegiate hat trick starting with a goal 31 minutes into the final half, followed four minutes later with another and then her third and final goal of the night three minutes later.
“I was getting pretty frustrated,” Villemaire said about not scoring a goal in the first half with 13 shots taken, “but we kept playing as a team and [the opportunities] sort of just came.”
Freshman midfielder Claudia Fountain netted Plattsburgh State’s last goal of the game, completing the 5-0 shutout against Colby-Sawyer.
“I’m happy to finally see something get in the back of that net. It took us a couple games,” head coach Tania Armellino about the 5-0 win after the Cards were held scoreless the previous two games. “The good thing is we’ve been getting the opportunities. It was really about finishing.”
Plattsburgh State attempted a combined 27 shots between its two previous losses to Middlebury and Skidmore Colleges.
Shooting a large volume of those attempts for the Cards and leading the conference in shots taken is Villemaire with 50 total attempts on the season. Behind Villemaire is Potsdam’s Lexi Dean with 36 shots.
Armellino says Villemaire leading the SUNYAC in shots taken is proof of her work ethic.
“Kirsten is a 100% worker,” Armellino said. “She’s got a great frame, always wants to be on the ball, she’s looking for where she can get the ball and doesn’t mind taking people on.”
Armellino was pleased Villemaire started to reap gains after leading the team in shots taken the last three games without a goal.
“I wanted Kirsten to get the goals I know she’s working so hard to get and to get three and on the fourth goal have the assist? Phenomenal,” Armellino said. “I’m excited for her to keep [scoring] because I know she has the ability to do it.”
The Cards start their conference schedule against the Fredonia Blue Devils next Friday and is followed by Buffalo State the next day.
