Women’s Volleyball Loses First Home Match, Makes Comeback
By Gabriela Flores
The women’s volleyball team lost its first home match against US Merchant Marine Academy last Tuesday, Sept. 6. Right off the gate, the Mariners led the first two sets. Though the Bulldogs picked up their pace in the third set, maintaining a close 22-20 lead, the Mariners had other plans and rallied for three consecutive scores. At the end of the match, Marine Academy led in nearly every category, with a total 44 kills against Brooklyn’s 24. It was a closing kill from the Mariners that sealed their win against the Bulldogs, ending the third set 28-26. Brooklyn’s home match marked the college’s first game hosting outside visitors again since lifting its COVID-19 restrictions.
Two days later, the Bulldogs came to beat Purchase College without looking back. The opening set made the tone for Brooklyn’s play on Thursday, Sept. 8. The Bulldogs earned three straight points against the Panthers to secure the game’s first win. By the second set, Brooklyn held an unshakeable lead that maintained into the third set. In the match’s closing, the Bulldogs took command of Purchase by ending with a kill from sophomore outside hitter Sydney Gdanski. This go around, Brooklyn led in almost every category, with notably 36 kills against Purchase’s 11, and 88 attempts against the Panthers’ 66. Outside hitter Aleah Rafat led Brooklyn’s play with 10 kills, five service aces, and six digs.
Though Brooklyn was set to host the opening CUNYAC play on Saturday, Sept. 10, its tri-match against York and Hunter was postponed because of fire that occurred at the West Quad Center on Thursday, Sept. 8. The Bulldogs’ next game is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13 against St. Joseph’s University–Brooklyn.
Men’s Soccer Ties With Pratt, Loses To St. Joseph’s
By Owen Russell
The men’s soccer team played two games this past week, after dropping its first two games of the season.
Brooklyn’s first game of the week came against the Pratt Institute on Sept. 7. After being held scoreless in its first two games of the season, Brooklyn jumped out of the gates, scoring within the first five minutes. Junior forward Jordi Hernandez was responsible for the Bulldogs’ one and only goal. Brooklyn held onto its one goal lead throughout the first half, but the second half was a different story.
Pratt scored within the first minute of the second half. From there, the game became a stalemate. Neither team was able to knock in another goal, and by the time the final whistle blew, the game was tied 1-1. Despite not securing its first win, Brooklyn was able to escape defeat for the first time this season.
The Bulldogs were still searching for their first win on Sept. 10 when they visited St. Joseph’s University–Brooklyn. BC could not contain the Bears. In the first half, St. Joseph scored four unanswered goals on 16 shots. The Bulldogs allowed one more goal in the second half, but answered back with one of their own. Junior defender Alexander Mishiyev scored his first goal of the season, but it wasn’t enough for the Bulldogs. Brooklyn lost 5-1, and remain winless on the season.
Brooklyn will continue to play for its first win when the team hosts Farmingdale State College on Sept. 12.
Women’s Soccer Remains Winless
By Owen Russell
The women’s soccer team lost its third straight game to start the season on Sept. 9 against St. Elizabeth University.
The first half was a high-scoring affair for St. Elizabeth. The Bulldogs allowed four goals on 11 shots, but they kept within reach. The Bulldogs knocked in two goals of their own. Midfielders Oshen Henderson and Flor Ramos were responsible for keeping Brooklyn in the fight. St. Elizabeth scored the first goal of the second half, but Brooklyn responded within one minute when freshman forward Priscilla Diaz scored her first goal of the season. Down two, Brooklyn tacked on another goal by Oshen Henderson, but they were unable to overcome the early deficit. Brooklyn lost 4-5, but played a tough game, battling from behind the whole way.
Brooklyn hopes to secure its first win on Sept. 14, when the Bulldogs host New Jersey City University.
