Box Score ALBANY, NY — Sophomore Katie Benson (Clifton Park, NY / Shenendehowa) picked up right where she left off last year, scoring all three ACPHS goals in the Panthers' season-opening 4-3 OT loss to Sage College at ACPHS Field. Both teams opened their season Thursday night, meaning Sage improved to 1-0 while ACPHS dropped to 0-1.

It was a tense opening to the game, with both teams given opportunities to open the scoring. Benson would do so in the 19^th minute, when senior Katie Parsels (Rochester, NY / Gates Chili) capitalized on a Sage giveaway and played a through ball behind the defense for Benson to chase down. The Shen grad took one touch and beat Sage keeper Cassy Robataille at her near post to put the Panthers up 1-0.

Following the goal, the Gators of Sage put heavy pressure on ACPHS, outshooting them 8-1 to close out the half. The Panthers were looking to see out the periodwith their lead intact, but a Sage counterattack in the closing seconds would prove too much. Sage's Joleen Marfone crossed the ball into forward Savannah Mason, who was left unmarked in the middle of the six-yard box. Mason finished just below the crossbar, and was able to knot the score at one with just five seconds left in the half. Unfortunately, senior goalkeeper Amy Jagareski (South Glens Falls / South Glens Falls) was injured on the play, thrusting freshman Sally Slowinski (Colrain, MA / Mohawk Trail) into her first collegiate action.

Benson struck again just after the break when Parsels played a 50/50 ball in dangerous territory. Benson was able to outrun the defense and poke the ball into the net under the outstretched arm of the Gator keeper, and the Panthers took a 2-1 lead. Seven minutes later, the Gators' Cassidy Bruen floated a cross into Samantha Trimblett who connected with her head to tie the score at two. Another seven minutes ticked off when in the 62^nd minute, Ariannah Logan netted for Sage to make the score 3-2. Benson recorded her final tally in the 79^th minute, when senior Kayli Smith (Rome, NY / Rome Free Academy) released her behind the Sage defense following a Panther interception. With the score 3-3 the two sides headed to overtime.

In the extra period, Sage wasted no time, creating an opportunity in the 92^nd minute when a long through ball was played down the line to Ariannah Logan. Logan found Trimblett in the box, who then squared the ball to forward Taylor Lynch. With the goal at her mercy, Lynch buried the game-winner from 4 yards out to settle the game at 4-3. The Panthers were outshot 32-8 in the contest, but did well to fight back from the 3-2 deficit midway through the second half. Slowinski drops to 0-1 on her young career, while Sage's Robataille starts out the season 1-0.

The Panthers look to rebound on Saturday, as they travel to Paul Smith's College with kick-off scheduled for 1pm. Sage's next contest will be Friday, September 2^nd against SUNY-New Paltz at 5pm.