Riverdale, NY - The University of Mount Saint Vincent returned to the Skyline Conference final for the first time since, but a new banner will have to wait another season. 

The top-seeded Dolphins hosted #3 St. Joseph's University Long Island on Saturday, making it the first time in program history a conference final was held on Marillac Field. An early goal gave the Golden Eagles an immediate advantage, and UMSV struggled to regain momentum, resulting in a 2-1 loss. The defeat was the first of the season for the Dolphins. 

They wrap their season with an overall record of 14-1-2. 

The Golden Eagles took the definitely of getting off on the right foot literally. SJLI took the opening kickoff into the opposing zone, with striker Jack Pulisic on the receiving end of two impressive passes to put his team on the board with just 15 seconds off the clock. 

The early strike took the wind out of the Dolphins sails, as they struggled to get back into the game. Physicality was on full display, with a combined 37 foul calls and seven cards given out by the officiating crew. The Dolphins took just three total shots in the first half, with just one reaching goal. Sophomore William Sornin had a chance to even things up, but his shot attempt was turned away at the 28 minute mark. Just over two minutes later, Pulisic would strike again, giving his team a two goal edge. 

The Dolphins turned up their offensive efforts in the second half. The team would take nine shots in the final 45 minutes of play, including near goal attempts from Sebastian Ciurlizza, Luka Gelevski and Javier Trujillo. Trujillo, however, would do his best to swing the momentum into UMSV's favor when he converted a penalty shot attempt at the 88 minute mark. Unforunately, the goal came too late into the half, as the Golden Eagles played the clock out to take home the hardware. 

The end result wasn't what the team wanted, but the Dolphins continue to grow into a top conference program. The expectation is that they'll remain in the title hunt in 2026.