The Paul Smith’s College women’s soccer team’s bid for its first United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II national championship fell short on Monday at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex.

The Bobcats were defeated 4-1 by the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry Mighty Oaks in the title match.

A pair of first-half goals by Grace Sinsebox within a span of two minutes and 19 seconds stretched a 1-0 advantage into a 3-0 halftime lead for ESF.

After the intermission, Paul Smith’s Hayleigh Gates trimmed the deficit to 3-1 in the 72nd minute before Kelly Cooper ended the scoring for the Mighty Oaks, giving them the national crown. Anna Thrasher, of the Bobcats, registered six saves in the contest.

In winning the title, ESF handed Paul Smith’s College its first loss of the season; the Bobcats concluded their spectacular season with a record of 11-1-1.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our team on and off the field,” Bobcats head coach, and USCAA DII National Coach of the Year, Bailey Walton said. “We set the bar pretty high this year and I look forward to continuing to improve our program.

“We have a young squad, including six starting freshmen,” she added. “I’m excited for the future of the soccer program at Paul Smith’s College.”

Paul Smith’s had advanced to the USCAA national tournament as the top seed after collecting regular and post-season crowns in the Yankee Small College Conference. The Bobcats advanced to the championship game after defeating Johnson and Wales and Penn State Mont Alto at the Sportsplex. ESF was the number two ranked team in the country entering the weekend.

In addition to Bobcat’s noteworthy team accomplishment, a number of younger players on the team were rewarded with post-season honors.

Gates, a freshman, was named USCAA DII Player of the Year. Gates, along with fellow freshman teammate Kate Roefs were named first-team All-American. Freshman Samantha Severing was named second-team All-American and Sophomore Grace Kronick was an honorable mention.

Junior Danielle Lockwood also received recognition. Lockwood was named Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year.