Post match interview with Barreto

The Lehman College women's soccer team defeated John Jay 2-0 earlier today on Randall's Island to advance to Saturday's final. 

Lehman (10-7-1) dominated possession throughout the contest as they took revenge against the Bloodhounds (8-9-1) for a 1-0 defeat just two weeks ago.  The Lightning out shot the Bloodhounds 13-3.

Early in the first half Daniela Castro played a through ball to Val Rojas how wasn't able to finish but it was a sign of things to come.  In the 27^th minute Lillian Barreto found Pamela Sanchez in the box and she comely placed the ball past the outstretched arms of the John Jay keeper.  Six minutes later Barreto cleaned up her own rebound to double the Lightning advantage.  Melanie Siranaula almost made it 3-0 in the waning minutes of the half but her shot went just wide. 

 "We wanted to prove to ourselves that we are the best team in CUNYAC," commented Barreto.  "We fought hard for 90 minutes and worked well as a team.  This is a crowning moment for all five seniors on the team.  Now we need to finish it on Saturday."

The Bloodhounds came out hungry in the second half as they applied a lot of pressure on the Lightning defense that posted its ninth shutout of the season.  Goal keeper Rebecca Gritz was called on to make two saves but was really only tested once and was able to parry the ball away for a corner.  The Lightning had several chances to extend the lead in the closing minutes but the Kelli Doherty, Bloodhounds keeper was up to the challenge stopping a pair of point blank shot by Barreto.

Lehman will now move on to the finals where they will face CSI which prevailed 2-1 in the other semi-final over CCNY.  This marks only the second time in program history that the Lightning will have played in the women's soccer final.  Earlier in the year the Dolphins defeated the Lightning 2-0.  Two years ago the Lightning and Dolphins tangled in the CUNYAC with CSI coming away with a 2-1 victory in OT.

 "We came out to play today, we were aggressive we worked a lot on playing the ball to feet and being first to the ball and it paid off," commented head coach Casey Melilli.  "Getting back to the finals means a lot to this program and the seniors,"