KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Oct. 15, 2022) – The USMMA Mariners women's soccer team put forth a tremendous second-half effort to win the program's inaugural 142 Game, 4-2, over SUNY Maritime on Saturday at Tomb Field. USMMA roared back in the final 27 minutes of the game to claim the victory after a slow start. With the win, Merchant Marine improved to 7-5-1 (2-5-1 Skyline), while the Privateers' sixth-straight loss dropped them to 3-9 (2-6 Skyline).
 
Game Links

• Box Score
• WATCH: Postgame Interview With Sophomore Jinae Teria 

Merchant Marine appeared to be off and running when senior Cassidy Jester (Denton, Texas) slammed home a rebound. Freshman Emma Cox (Huntingtown, Md.) sent a sharp-angle shot on goal that forced a difficult save from Maritime goalkeeper Emily Commodore. Commodore's diving save deflected the loose ball right to Jester, who cashed in her ninth goal of the season to put the Mariners on top 1-0.
 
USMMA's lead was short-lived, as the Privateers struck quickly for two goals in less than 90 seconds to leapfrog the Mariners. Ava Morill tied the game on a header and Jenna Lesiewicz followed with a tally of her own. Lesiewicz's shot appeared to be a harmless bouncer that eluded sophomore goalkeeper Margret Ripperger (McKinney, Texas). Perhaps what distracted Ripperger was the sun glare. Many players on the field were seen using their arms to shade their eyes from the beaming sunlight throughout the afternoon. Nonetheless, Maritime took a 2-1 lead thanks to a little bit of luck.
 
As the game hit halftime, the Mariners were clearly the better team in the opening 45 minutes, but trailed on the scoreboard. USMMA outshot the Privateers, 11-6, and 6-4 on-goal in the first frame.
 
In a game that was a tale of two halves, the Mariners finished their opportunities that kept on coming in half number two. After being silenced for the first 17 minutes of the frame, sophomore Jinae Teria (Chalan Pago, Guam) found fellow sophomore Natalie Colpoys (Rochester, N.Y.) who rifled a shot upstairs to tie it 2-2.
 
Just like the men's team earlier in the day, Carlos Mendes' club was unsatisfied with a tie. Teria, who accounted for six of the Mariners' 16 shots on goal, pin-balled the game-winner off Commodore into the net with 15:01 on the clock. A well-deserved goal for Teria, who has filled in splendidly during a season the Mariners have battled the injury bug. It was assisted by Colpoys.
 
USMMA kept their foot on the gas in desperate need of a win. Freshman Marina Ronzoni (Riverhead, N.Y.) put one where grandma keeps the cookies to tally her first career goal and give the Mariners some insurance with a 4-2 lead. Very fitting that USMMA women's soccer won their inaugural 142 Game, 4-2.

Ripperger finished the afternoon with two saves, while Commodore had an impressive 12 stops.
 
Merchant Marine now shifts their focus to Tuesday night, Oct. 18, when they will take on the Purchase Panthers at home. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Bartoszek Field. Live stats and a live video feed of the game will be available with links on the USMMA Women's Soccer Schedule Page.
 
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