Madison, NJ - The 2024 Skyline Conference Regular Season champions looked like their last season team to kick off their newest campaign. 

The Dolphins were on the road to kick off 2025, taking on FDU-Florham in a strong non-conference matchup. It was a defensive battle throughout the first half, and clutch scoring in the final 45 minutes pushed UMSV past the Devils by the score of 1-0. 

Despite no goals being scored on either side, the Dolphins were extremely aggressive before halftime. UMSV outshot FDU and were on top of the possession game. On the other end of the field, Second Team All Conference selection Javiera Sanchez didn't see a shot attempt reach her, with Gisselle Soria, Lily Ostiguy, Maddie Halford and Kerrigyn Lynam all chipping in defensively. 

The second half saw both sides pick up the tempo on offense, but it would be the Dolphins who got the better of the scoring attempts. 

Transfer sophomore Aiyanna Robles Sedano came off the bench in her Dolphins debut and was a boon on both ends of the field. She rattled off four shots, including three on goal, one of which found the back of the net after shifty foot work near the left hand corner of the box. 

The Devils would knot things up at one just seven minutes later, with the defensive battle resuming thereafter. A hard foul on sophomore Claire Elliot inside the box would send Soria to the line for a penalty shot attempt with just four minutes left in regulation. While the initial shot was saved, the junior would follow through with a clutch strike off the rebound, putting UMSV on top for good. 

Juniors Eva Puentes and Cameron Cruz would also register shots on goal in the victory. Junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Grady entered in relief for Sanchez in the second half and collected three saves. 

The big win for the Dolphins will look to set the tone in 2025. They'll attempt to carry their momentum in a road matchup on September 6 against Montclair State.