August 30, 2010 - The Citadel Soccer team topped Maine, 3-1, on a hat trick performance by freshman and former Kendall SC member Ruth Leiva to give the Bulldogs the first win of the regular season on Sunday, Aug. 29 at WLI Field.
The Citadel opened the match firing early as senior Nicole Martinoli dribbled from midfield and sent a pass from the top left of the box to freshman Ruth Leiva, who from the center, put the Bulldogs up, 1-0, just over two minutes into the match. Maine's Kaitlyn MacIsaac tried tying the score at the 4:27 mark with a header from Kelsey Wilson's corner kick, however, goalkeeper Laura Serafino was in position for the Bulldog save.
The Citadel offense went on attack again when from the right of the field, freshman Mariana Garcia sent the ball forward to classmate Jaslene Thiara to the right corner. From there Thiara centered a kick to Leiva, who waited for the Black Bears' goalkeeper Meagan Price-Leibenzeder to make the first move before she sent it slowly to the left corner of the net for the Bulldogs' second goal of the match.
Maine attempted five of the final six shots of the half, but The Citadel defense held on to send the Black Bears scoreless into halftime. Maine slightly outshot The Citadel, 6-5, despite the Bulldogs' two-point lead with credit going to Serafino's four saves.
The Citadel's Leiva attempted her skills at the net again to open the second period but the shot was saved by Maine's Price-Leibenzeder. The Black Bears' offense attacked immediately trying to reduce the Bulldogs' lead and controlling much of the second half. At the 74:37 mark, Maine's Wilson took the corner kick and Hannah Breton shot from the left, but Serafino made a leaping catch to maintain the Bulldogs' lead. On a second attempt, Wilson kicked from the center and again Serafino made a diving save. Seconds later, the Black Bears' Maddie Hill fired but it was wide right. After committing two fouls, Maine's Wilson grabbed the loose ball at the top of the box, dribbled left and shot with her left foot to pull the Black Bears' within one to make the score 2-1.
After taking a breather, Leiva re-entered the match for the Bulldogs at the 85:30 mark. Seconds later, on a throw in from junior Leah Hawkins, Leiva settled and circled right to find the ball and kicked it center into the net, sealing a 3-1 victory for the Bulldogs and her third goal of the match.
Maine doubled The Citadel's shots, logging an 18-6 edge with nine on goal. From Serafino's standout performance, she recorded eight saves to pick up her first win of the season. With her three goals earned, Leiva registered six shots, five on goal. Wilson topped the Black Bears' offensive board with seven shots, five on goal. P-Leibenzeder tallied two saves for Maine.
"We started the game off strong and played good soccer through the first half which enabled the team to score two goals," said junior midfielder Hannah Warne. "In the second half we ensured the win with the third goal.
"The Bulldogs will being their four-match road slate as they first travel to Colorado Springs, Colo. for the Air Force Academy Tournament. There they will face the host Air Force Academy on Friday, Sept. 3 at 6:30 p.m. (ET). For more information on Bulldog Soccer, visit the official website of The Citadel Athletics at www.CitadelSports.com.
