NEWBURGH, NY – Junior forward Danielle Bucco (Washingtonville, N.Y.) beat three defenders on her way to scoring the game-winning goal on Thursday evening as the Mount Saint Mary College women's soccer team earned a 2-1 victory over Bard College. The Blue Knights improved to 10-4-1 on the year and moved into sole possession of fourth place in the Skyline Conference with a mark of 5-2-1. The Raptors dropped to 9-7 overall and to 6-2 in the conference.

Tied at one goal each in the 61st minute, Bucco received a pass near midfield and proceeded to make several nice moves to free herself from the Bard defense. Finally alone with the keeper, Bucco made good on the opportunity and gave the Blue Knights a one goal lead that they would not relinquish.

It wasn't for a lack of effort on the part of the Raptors in the closing minutes. Bard had seven corner kicks in the second half but didn't convert on any of them. Sophomore goalkeeper Megan Cotta (Wall, N.J.) made eight saves, four of them in the second half, to keep the victory in tact.

Mount Saint Mary freshman Alexi Pascale (Monroe, N.Y.) opened the scoring in the 16th minute, touching home a cross from sophomore Kristen Maggio (Smithtown, N.Y.). Maggio's cross tipped off a defender and deflected towards the goal line where Pascale knocked it into the back of the net.

Bard's only goal came on a penalty kick in the 35th minute. After a Mount Saint Mary defender was called for a handball in the box, freshman Erin Hannigan (West Pittston, Pa.) tied the game from the penalty spot. It was Hannigan's thirteenth of the season.

Freshman Jessica Philpott (Hot Springs, Va.) made nine saves for the Raptors and fended off several breakaway attempts to keep Bard in the game.

Up next for the Mount is a trip to St. Joseph's College for the regular season finale. The Blue Knights have clinched a spot in the Skyline playoffs but can clinch home field advantage in the first round with a win or a tie on Saturday. The game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on November 1.