Women's Soccer 11/4/2015 8:51:00 PM

Lightning Down Bloodhounds in CUNYAC Semis…Advance to Finals on Saturday

Box Score

Brooklyn, NY - Behind four goals by freshman standout Chelsey Harris the Lehman (14-2) women's soccer team defeated John Jay 5-0 (4-11-2). The victory gives Lehman a berth in the CUNYAC finals scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 PM at Brooklyn College. Lehman will take on the College of Staten Island. The Dolphins defeated host Brooklyn College 1-0. It will be the Lightning's first appearance in the CUNYAC final. The champion receives an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. Last season Lehman fell to CSI in the semis. Lehman has only been playing women's soccer four years.

Harris tallied two first half goals and followed that up with two more in the second half to propel the Lightning. It was the first time in her life that she netted four goals in a game. Samantha Dias added an insurance goal on a penalty kick in the closing minutes for the final margin of victory. Harris tallied in the 23rd and 28th minutes to give the Lightning a 2-0 advantage at the break. Thirteen minutes into the second half she was able to extend the Lehman lead to 3-0 on a through ball from Michelle Reyes Ruiz. Her final goal of the night was netted in the 64th minute off a feed from Gredia Sanchez.

Harris, the team leader in goals, now has 25 goals on the season and ranks among the nation's leaders in Division III. The Lightning have powered offense also ranks among the nation's elite with a 4.75 goals per game average. Goalkeeper Stephanie Gonzalez kept another clean sheet in posting her ninth shut-out of the season. The Lightning have won their last four, all by shut-out.

Lehman outshot John Jay 19-3.

"I'm very excited for the team," commented second year head coach Casey Melilli. "They deserve this. They are playing very well right now."

It was the second time in two weeks that Lehman defeated the Bloodhounds 5-0.

Earlier this season the Lightning defeated CSI 5-1 in a game played on Lehman's South Field. In that contest, Lehman jumped out on top 2-0 with goals from Lillian Berreto and Gredia Sanchez before the Dolphins cut the lead in half right before the half-time whistle. But three minutes into the second half Berreto tallied her second of the afternoon to put the Lightning back on top by two goals. Twenty minutes later Pamela Sanchez found the back of the net to extend the margin to 4-1. Harris rounded out the scoring in the 82nd minute.

Although admittance to the finals is free, attendees still need to register on the CUNYAC website for your free ticket.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Pamela Sanchez: MF; 5' 0"; Freshman

#21 Samantha Dias: D; 5' 4"; Senior

#0 Stephanie Gonzalez: GK; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#17 Michelle Reyes Ruiz: MF; 5' 3"; Freshman

#3 Chelsey Harris: MF; 5' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Pamela Sanchez
: 5' 0"; Freshman
: MF

#21 Samantha Dias
: 5' 4"; Senior
: D

#0 Stephanie Gonzalez
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: GK

#17 Michelle Reyes Ruiz
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: MF

#3 Chelsey Harris
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: MF