DELHI, N.Y. (October 23, 2021) - Two second-half goals thrusted the SUNY Delhi women's soccer team Saturday to the top seed and hosting rights for next weekend's NAC West Tournament in a 2-1 win over SUNY Canton. The Broncos completed their divisional slate a perfect 4-0, 7-1 in all NAC play, and 10-5 overall to wrap up the regular season. The Broncos will host two-seed Cazenovia, third-seed SUNY Canton, and fourth-seed SUNY Poly for the divisional playoffs starting next Saturday.

Delhi's seven seniors were recognized prior to Saturday's affair, featuring Olivia Curry (Veterinary Science), Alexa DuBois (Recreation & Sports Management), Sara Fischetti (Hotel & Restaurant Management), Kelsey Innes (Veterinary Science), Tiesha Mayfield (Computer Information Systems), Allysa Nellis (Business & Technology Management), and Rachael Scoones (Recreation & Sports Management).

Thanks to a highly defensive first-half, the game remained scoreless for the first 64 minutes before SUNY Delhi staked its claim with two goals in just over a three-minute span. Innes carried the ball along the endline from the right side, dribbling a centering pass that was missed by a Canton defender and at the feet of Alivia Cordero for the opening score in the 65th minute. Cordero followed up assisting the next score, finding Becky Drumm at the right of the box from the top left 35 yards out, where Drumm knocked in the two-hopper to the bottom left corner for her first career goal. SUNY Canton was not deterred, continuing its threat to cut into Delhi's lead, but Broncos goalkeeper Scoones gave them very little to rally around in a three-save afternoon, including a leaping fingertip highlight save to keep the Roos off the board in the 80th minute. Canton did get a goal late on an Autumn Kunes score on a penalty-kick goal with 1:06 remaining, igniting a high-paced final minute where Delhi stood tall to preserve the win.

Scoones improved to 9-5 on the season. Cordero's two-point day jumped her scoring totals to third-best on the team with 12 points on four goals and a team second-best four assists. Innes' assist pulled her team-leading total up to six, while her team second-leading points carried up to 18.

"Really proud of the group today," said head coach Zach Ward. "We've talked a lot this season about how good teams find a way to win. Canton defended really well and took away a lot of the dangerous space we like to play in. We discussed at halftime that our chances would come from wide areas and sure enough Alivia's and Becky's goals came off of crosses. It was a great way to send off our seniors on their Senior Day. Every coach is going to say their group of seniors are the best but they're all wrong because my group of seven are the best and have been fantastic from day one. I'm quite proud and grateful to have had them around even if it was only for one season. We're only guaranteed one more match and aren't going to take the opportunity next weekend for granted. Our job isn't finished yet."

With the conference tournament picture finalized, host SUNY Delhi is slated to play the first opening-round NAC West game Saturday, Oct. 30 versus fourth-seed SUNY Poly at 11:00 a.m., followed by the two-three matchup of Cazenovia and SUNY Canton for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff. The winners will square off next Sunday, Oct. 31 at 12 noon for the right to represent the NAC West for the conference title hosted by the NAC East winner on Saturday, Nov. 6.