NEWBURGH, NY – Sage junior Samantha DeFoe (Amsterdam, N.Y.) headed home the game-winner in the 77th minute to send the Gators to a 1-0 victory over Mount Saint Mary College in a Skyline Conference quarterfinal on Tuesday evening. Sage (9-7-1) advances to play Farmingdale State College on Thursday while the Blue Knights (9-8-2) were eliminated.

DeFoe leaped above a crowd of defenders and headed the ball to the near post for the only goal of the game. Sage junior Sarah Briggs (Cohoes, N.Y.) played a beautiful ball into the box on a corner kick and was credited with an assist on the play.

It wasn't for a lack of chances for Mount Saint Mary. In the eleventh minute, senior Danielle Bucco (Washingtonville, N.Y.) beat the goalkeeper with a shot, but it struck the far post solidly before being cleared by the Sage defense. In the 66th minute, Bucco's corner kick found the head of freshman Lindsey Oro (Holtsville, N.Y.) inside the box, but Oro's attempt went just wide.

Following the Sage goal, the Blue Knights earned five corners in the final thirteen minutes, but couldn't convert on any of the chances. Sage goalkeeper Brittany McDonald (Schenectady, N.Y.) made a brilliant save on a shot by sophomore Erin McKeon (Watertown, N.Y.). A rebound attempt by sophomore Alexi Pascale (Monroe, N.Y.) on the same play was solidly struck, but wide of the netting. Senior Kristen Maggio (Smithtown, N.Y.) had one last chance to tie the game in the 89th minute, but her shot sailed just high and wide of the frame.

McDonald finished with six saves for the Gators. Mount Saint Mary freshman Casey Roland (Bethpage, N.Y.) made three saves for the Blue Knights.