Herkimer Women's Soccer starts season with 2 wins in Coliseum Kickoff Classic

Herkimer, NY - The Generals started the season with a pair of wins over perennial powers Nassau & Holyoke. On Saturday the Generals played Nassau in the opening game of the Coliseum Kickoff Classic. The Generals were the only team to score in the opening half as they built a 2-0 lead going into the second half thanks in part to Kristen Purcell (Sauquoit, NY) and a Keara Blumenstock (Poland, NY) free kick. Nassau would pull even to make it 2-2 but the Generals constant attack would put them back in front for good. Purcell led the way with 4 goals and Blumenstock had 1 goal & 3 assists. Courtney Madia (Frankfort, NY) added one assist as well.

On Sunday, Herkimer faced Holyoke who was looking for some retribution from their 8-0 drubbing at Nationals last year. Holyoke would bunker in and wait for counter attacks but it was again the Generals relentless attack that would see them get on the board first just over 17 minutes into the start. It would stay that way until halftime when the Generals picked right back up with their barrage of attacks. The Holyoke goalkeeper played a huge part in keeping the Herkimer from tallying anymore until about 24 minutes into the second half when they would strike just minutes apart. Herkimer was awarded a penalty kick after Purcell was taken down just inside the top of the box. Purcell would convert it for the 2-0 lead. Just over a minute later Kayla Suppa (Oneida, NY) would finish a Raquel Burton (Sauquoit, NY) cross for a 3-0 lead. Holyoke would get one back late but the lead was too much for them to get back into the game.

After the game Coach Palkovic expressed his views on the team’s performance over the weekend, “It is was nice to grab 2 wins over two quality teams who are usually on the national stage. We are a young group so this was a really good start for us but our region is one of the toughest in the country and it will only get tougher.

The Generals open Region III play with a road game in Syracuse, NY for a matchup with Onondaga Community College on Thursday Aug 29. Game time is set for 4:00 PM