Pottersville, NY – The CMCC Women's Soccer team's 2024 season came to a close after a 3-1 defeat at the hands of #3 Paul Smith's College on Saturday morning in the YSCC Tournament semifinals. The match was hosted on the campus of Word of Life Bible Institute in New York.

Central Maine's season ends with an overall record of 7-5-3 and a 5-0-2 mark in YSCC play to claim the #2 seed in the conference tournament. The Mustangs had an unbeaten run of eight straight games heading into the postseason and went undefeated in conference play for the first time in program history.

"It's a disappointing way to end the season with this group of players after a good year," said head coach Rob Rodriguez. "I'm proud of what we accomplished with a team that had a lot of new players added to the mix, and I'm excited about the groundwork we've laid for next season."

CMCC dominated the first half in terms of possession and outshot the PSC 10-8 through the first 45 minutes, but could not find a way past goalkeeper Peyton Hoffman.

The Bobcats took a 1-0 lead courtesy of a goal by Katrien Roefs in the 17^th minute. The YSCC All-Conference selection knocked home a shot from corner kick scramble on their first dangerous chance of the match.

Roefs turned provider on Paul Smith's second tally, setting up Micaela Diller. The striker floated a shot from the top of the box over the head of goalkeeper Emma Knowles and just inside the far post to double the lead in the 33^rd minute.

CMCC made a change at halftime moving Knowles, the YSCC Goalkeeper of the Year, up top as a forward and putting Ava Morgan in net. The gamble was designed to inject some more offensive chances into the game, as Knowles had played four games at striker, registering 11 shots and scoring a goal against Vermont State University-Randolph.

The Mustangs did have eight more shots in the second half, but struggled to break down the PSC back line. Knowles came close on a point-blank header that just cleared the crossbar in the 52^nd minute. The Manchester, ME native then saw a shot direct from a corner kick pushed onto the crossbar to keep CMCC off the scoreboard. Morgan made a great save of her own, diving to her right to get fingertips to a shot from Matti Swan to push it around the post and keep the deficit at two.

The Bobcats added their third goal in the 71^st minute from Hayleigh Gates. The YSCC Player of the Year was sent through on goal by another pass from Roefs. Gates held her nerve as Morgan came out to cut down the angle, placing a low shot past her to all but seal the game.

Central Maine would pull a goal back with under five minutes to play. Team leading scorer Destiny Mooers found the back of the net for the 12^th time in the campaign to cut the deficit down to 3-1. Her shot from left side of the box lobbed the keeper before nestling in the side netting, but Paul Smith's saw out the rest of the game from there to secure their spot in the championship game.

Along with Knowles receiving YSCC Goalkeeper of the Year honors, three other Mustangs received individual awards. Mooers, Madisyn Turcotte, and Olivia Varney were all named YSCC All-Conference selections. Rob Rodriguez was also named YSCC Coach of the Year for the first time in his 10^th year with the program.

#3 Paul Smith's would end up falling to #1 NHTI in a penalty shootout the following day.