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Oct. 22, 2006

Box Score

QUEENS, N.Y. - With goals from junior forward Christy Zwolski and sophomore defender Katie Kelly, along with a solid defensive effort, the Marquette women's soccer team defeated St. John's, 2-1, Sunday at Belson Stadium in its regular season finale. With the win, the Golden Eagles clinch a first round bye in the BIG EAST Conference Tournament and earn the second seed in the American Division. Marquette will host the no. 3 seed of the National Division, Villanova, on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 1 p.m., at Valley Fields.

"I give our team a lot of credit. St. John's is a very good team and playing them at its home is extra difficult," said head coach Markus Roeders. "For us to come here and get a win speaks volumes about our team. We battled through out and got a win. It wasn't easy and we missed the sharpness in our game. But considering we played so well on Friday with 10 players, we did enough to score a couple goals for the win today. Both teams had a lot to gain and we are excited to finish second in our division. The first round bye and a home game Sunday is what we were playing for today."

Marquette scored both of its goals in the first half, with the first tally coming at the 9:17 mark. Sophomore Katie Kelly served the long ball in to the box from the right side right to the head of Zwolski. Zwolski was able to get into the air and head the ball high past St. John's goal keeper Jamie Beran for her sixth goal of the season.

The Redstorm got the equalizer about 10 minutes later in the 21st minute of the game. Amanda Pasciolla's unassisted goal rolled past sophomore goalkeeper Christy Smith after a Marquette defensive miscue.

Smith received her first start in goal of her career due to junior goalkeeper Laura Boyer being forced to sit out. Boyer was issued a red card Friday at Syracuse and was suspended for one game.

Then, less than three minutes later in the 21st minute, Kelly scored her first goal of the season and what turned out to be the game winner. After a foul was called on St. John's, Kelly went to take the free kick and fired it to the upper left corner from 25 yards out.

For the second half, Marquette was held without a shot, while St. John's registered six shots, two on goal. The Redstorm penetrated hard late in the second half in effort to create several offensive opportunities including being awarded three consecutive corner kicks. The Golden Eagles, however, were able to stop each of them.

Smith made three total saves for the game, while the Redstorm out shot the Golden Eagles 11-7 and 4-3 on goal. St. John's was awarded six corner kicks compared to zero for Marquette.

"Although the whole team deserves credit for the win a point should be made that Christy Smith played a super match in place of Boyer for the win," added Roeders. "She controlled her goal and made a couple of very good saves. She showed we have very talented players through our squad and anyone is able to step up at any time."

Marquette extends its win streak to five games, and improves to 10-5-4 overall and 7-3-1 in BIG EAST action. The Golden Eagles' 10 wins marks the 11th consecutive season MU has tallied double digit victories. It is also the second straight season Marquette has earned a second-place finish in the BIG EAST American Division.

"Reflecting back on the regular season we are proud of these women to continue to hang in there and improve everyday," remarked Roeders. "A month ago we didn't have the best record but we were a very good team who had played a very tough schedule, mostly on the road. At 10-5-4 we can look back and be proud of our work. Now its time to look ahead to the second part of our season. We will use the upcoming week to prepare for Villanova, another team that has enjoyed a very good year."