Lasko shoots Eagles to first win of season

Posted on September 10, 2011

By:  Kyle C. Leach

SOMERSET, NJ – Freshman Valerie Lasko scored twice and classmate Samantha Cicio added two assists as the College of St. Elizabeth women’s soccer team topped Cobleskil, 3-0, in North Eastern Athletic Conference action at Soccer Centers on an overcast Saturday afternoon.

Junior goalkeeper Catherine De La Cruz made one save in goal for her first collegiate shutout as the Screaming Eagles (1-3, 1-0 NEAC) won for the first time in the 2011 season.

CSE out-shot the Tigers (0-3, 0-1 NEAC) by a margin of 18-5, and earned nine corner kicks to five for Cobleskill.

CSE was hot from the start, earning a corner kick in the game’s opening minutes. Cicio sent the corner kick to the top of the box, where sophomore Christina Rios settled the bouncing ball among Cobleskill defenders. Rios pushed a pass to the right where junior midfielder Dina Toledo took one touch and blasted a shot inside the right post for the first goal of the her collegiate career at 4:01.

CSE struck again at the start of the second half on a strong throw-in from the far side of Cobleskill end of the field. Cicio threw the ball to the top of the box where junior Meghan Murray headed a pass right to Lasko. Lasko sent a low hard shot into the left side of the net at 55:34 for her first collegiate goal. Cicio and Murray were both credited with assists on the play.

Lasko and Cicio combined again 20 minutes later. Cicio sent a pass through the midfield to a streaking Lasko, who out-ran the Cobleskill defender on the left side of the box. With the goalie racing at her, Lasko toed a shot into the upper left corner of the goal at 75:24.

The Screaming Eagles play the second match of two NEAC home contests this weekend on Sunday, hosting SUNY-IT at Soccer Centers at 1 p.m.