Rockville Centre, N.Y. – The Molloy women's soccer team kicked off the 2025 campaign against the Bentley Falcons Thursday afternoon falling, 2-1, at the Rockville Centre Sports Complex.
 
How it Happened

• Eight minutes into the contest, Bentley defender Kaelin Fitzpatrick fired a shot following a free kick that rang off the crossbar.
• Bentley would continue to threaten in the 18^th minute, when Sydney DeRoche had a chance right in front of goalkeeper junior Elyse Muñoz, but the shot was sent high.
• The Lions recorded its first shot of the contest 10 minutes later when sophomore Jana Strait created a chance that forced a save from Bentley goalkeeper Holly DiPalo.
• In the final seconds of the first 45, Bentley's McKay Pratt had a chance to find the back of the net, but the attempt went high sending the contest into halftime scoreless.
• The Molloy Lions got off to a hot start as freshman Rebecca Petrellese found space to fire a shot that forced a save three minutes in.
• A minute later junior Madison Keenan played a ball into the offensive third. Sophomore Jana Strait headed it down to senior Mikaela Barriga who snuck it inside the left post to get the cardinal and white on the board, 1-0.
• The Lions continued to pressure in the 53^rd minute when sophomore Sarah Cavallo sent a header on target that forced a save.
• 10 minutes would go by of back-and-forth action until the 65^th minute, where the Falcons would knot the game at one after Annie Vigue found the back of the net.
• The road team would look to take the lead three minutes later, but Muñoz made a save to keep the contest knotted at one.
• The contest returned to a defensive as neither team would register a shot on target over the next 15 minutes of action.
• In the 87^th minute following an unsettled ball, Bentley's Tilly Fitzgibbons fired a shot that got past Muñoz to give the Falcons the victory, 2-1.

Top Performances

• Barriga netted her first goal of the season on three shots with two coming on goal.
• Strait added an assist and led the team with five shots.
• In goal, Muñoz was forced to make one save.

Up Next
The Lions return to the field Saturday, September 6 with a matchup against local rival and 17^th-ranked Adelphi beginning at 2:00 p.m.