CALDWELL, N.J. - Freshman forward Katie Margiotta (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) registered two goals and an assist to lead the Caldwell College women's soccer team to a 3-1 triumph over Nyack College in the Cougars' final Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game of the season Monday afternoon at Caldwell Field. The win clinches a home game in the first round of next week's CACC Tournament for the Cougars, who improve to 7-9-1 overall and 7-3-1 in conference play. The Warriors fall to 8-7, 5-5 CACC.

Margiotta, left, broke a scoreless tie in the 32nd minute, when she blasted a shot from the left of the goal off the crossbar and in for a 1-0 Caldwell lead. Nyack tied the game three minutes after halftime. Alisha Smith knocked in a rebound off a shot by Abbie Martone for her ninth goal of the year. Senior forward Kristee Paknis (Whiting, NJ/Manchester) gave Caldwell the lead for good with her 12th goal of the season off an assist from Margiotta in the 63rd minute. A little more than a minute later, Paknis sent a long free kick from the left side into the box, where Margiotta headed the ball past Nyack goalkeeper Whitney Shutt. The goal gives Margiotta six tallies in her first collegiate campaign.

Sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Hoenig (Howell, NJ/Howell) recorded two saves in goal for the Cougars, while Shutt  made seven saves for Nyack.

The win marked the final regular-season home game for Paknis and midfielders Samantha Rinks (Corinth, TX/Billy Ryan), who assisted on Margiotta's first goal, and Kim Fenton (Galloway Twp., NJ/Absegami). The seniors will play one more game at Caldwell Field, as the Cougars will host a first-round game in the CACC Tournament on Monday, Nov. 3. Caldwell's seeding and opponent will be determined once the regular season ends on Nov. 1.

The Cougars play their final regular-season game on Wednesday, Oct. 29, when they play at Dowling College in a non-conference game. The kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Oakdale, N.Y.

CC - 1 2 - 3
NC - 0 1 - 1
Scoring Summary: 1. CC – Katie Margiotta 5 (Samantha Rinks), 31:14. 2. NC - Alisha Smith 9 (Abbie Martone), 48:15. 3. CC - Kristee Paknis 12 (Margiotta), 62:34. 4. CC - Margiotta 6 (Paknis), 63:36.  
Shots: CC - 22; NC - 9
Saves: CC – Lauren Hoenig 2; NC – Whitney Shutt 7
Corners: CC - 4; NC - 3
Fouls: CC - 17; NC - 9
Offsides: CC - 2; NC - 1
Cautions: CC - none; NC - Drenth (63:21)