TROY — Three long road trips to start off a season can have a toll on a team.
Tuesday, it definitely caught up with Clinton Community College.
The Cougars gave up two late goals to Hudson Valley Community College and fell 2-0 in women’s college soccer.
“We played hard,” Clinton coach Donna Dixon said. “It was not our best game of the year by far; we just didn’t come out strong.
“Three long away games in four days really took a toll, I think. We just didn’t have the legs.”
The Cougars played 86 minutes of soccer, holding the Vikings scoreless thanks to some impressive saves by goalkeeper Emily Schultz. But, Hudson Valley broke through with 3:44 remaining in the second half on a goal from Carolyn Gibbons.
The Vikings made it 2-0 with 1:15 left in the contest on Gibbons’ second goal of the game. Alexi Anderson picked up the assist.
“Both of their goals came on a cover attack,” Dixon said. “We just didn’t recover.
“The second goal had a bit of controversy. The ball went over the end line and we were getting ready for a goal kick, but their player got the ball and scored on an open net. We had a bit of a discussion about that … but we have to learn to play the whistle and that is a hard way to learn that lesson.”
Kenna Agoney and Emily Cutting both had strong games for Clinton in the loss. Schultz made eight saves in net and helped keep the Cougars in the game with a few of them.
“We will have to learn to do some smarter things,” Dixon said. “We got everyone into the attacking third and we were not able to recover.
“They just didn’t have the legs (Tuesday) and that was the bottom line. We have to get right back on the bus this weekend and do it again. And they will because they have the will to do it.”
Clinton will travel to Herkimer Community College to take on Jamestown Community College at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Hudson Valley C.C. 2, Clinton C.C. 0
Clinton C.C. 0 0 — 0
Hudson Valley C.C. 0 2 — 2
Second half- 1, HVCC, Gibbons, 41:16. 2, HVCC, Gibbons (Anderson), 43:45.
Shots: Clinton C.C. 20, Hudson Valley C.C. 15.
Saves: Ragonese, HVCC, 13. Schultz, CCC, 8.
