ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - Avalon Qian has proven over her four years at Bard, that she has a knack for scoring goals. Wednesday night, during the Raptors' 2-0 win over SUNY New Paltz, she continued to show why she is one of the best strikers in Bard history.

The senior captain scored twice for the Raptors in the contest, but it was her first goal of the night that truly impressed and made everyone's jaw drop. 

"That was perhaps the prettiest goal I've seen here since I've been at Bard," praised Bard head coach Bill Kelly after the game. For perspective, 2017 is Kelly's 11th year as the head coach of the Raptors, so he has seen some goals over his time. 

The funny thing is, the build-up to the goal was nearly non-existent and caught everyone off guard ... except Qian. 

It came in the 15th minute, when Caroline Gluck threw the ball in near the 18-yard line, where Carla Sanchez was waiting. Sanchez put a little touch on it with the inside of her foot and tapped it a yard away from goal, where Qian was waiting. 

The senior immediately locked in on the ball, and one-timed it perfectly.

The ball flew from just outside the right corner of the penalty box, holding in the air until the last second when it dipped down into the upper left of the goal, giving the New Paltz goalie no chance to make a save. 

Once the crowd and Bard sideline realized the shot had gone it, an eruption of applause broke out. The goal would end up being the deciding factor in the game, but that didn't stop the Raptors or Qian from adding to the total.

In the second half, she doubled up to give Bard a crucial insurance goal heading into the final third of the game. 

It came in the 52nd minute, thanks to a powerful Dylan McDonald free kick from near midfield.

Giuliana Scanni initially looked like she had scored with her head via McDonald's free kick, but her shot just clipped the bottom of the crossbar bouncing down and back into play. 

Before New Paltz's keeper could grab it, Qian rushed toward the net and headed it in for her second of the game and seventh of the season.

With the goal, Qian set her new career-high for goals in a season, eclipsing the six goals she had scored back in 2015. 

In addition to Bard's offense having a solid night, the defense played outstanding as well. The unit allowed just two shots on goal the entire contest.

Tessa Greenhalgh picked up the win in goal for the Raptors, while Katelyn Cordero (Airmont, NY) made four saves for the Hawks of New Paltz. 

Up next for Bard is a road contest at FDU-Florham on Saturday (9/16). The contest is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.and you can follow it right here.