NEWBURGH, N.Y. –  Goals by freshman Nicole Gianotti (Massapequa, N.Y.) and classmate Meghan Moran (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) propelled the third-seeded Mount Saint Mary College women's soccer team past the sixth-seeded SUNY College at Old Westbury in the first round of the ECAC Division III Metro Region Tournament. The Knights advance to 18-3-1 on the season, while the Panthers conclude their season with a 9-9-1 record overall.

A goal by Gianotti at the 1:47 mark helped the Knights jump out to an early, 1-0, lead. Following a scramble in the box, Gianotti directed a shot on net that was saved by a Panther defender. The deflection bounced back to Gianotti, who then put home the rebound to put the Knights up, 1-0. After the quick start, both teams settled in for the remainder of the first half and the Mount possessed a 1-0 lead at halftime.

In the 69th minute of play, Moran added what would prove to be the game-winning goal. Mount sophomore Sara Sheehan (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.) streaked down the left side of the field and sent the ball towards Moran in the middle. Moran beat an Old Westbury defender at the top of the box and ripped a shot into the back of the net.

Old Westbury senior Cassandra Esposito brought the game to within one, 2-1, in the 75th minute with an impressive individual effort. Esposito made several moves in the box to beat two Mount defenders and goalkeeper Jacquelyn Mancini (Valley Stream, N.Y.) to put the Panthers on the board.

Mancini finished with one save for the Knights, while Caitlin Thomas tallied four saves for Old Westbury.

The Knights now advance to the semifinals of the ECAC Division III Metro Region Tournament. The semifinal game will be played Saturday, November 12 at New York University. Game time and opponent are to be determined.