FLUSHING, N.Y. – Playing in their lone match of the year, the Queens College women's soccer team opened East Coast Conference (ECC) play on Saturday afternoon, hosting the D'Youville University Saints at Knights Field.
Led by rookie midfielder
Mia Goicochea's (Fresh Meadows, N.Y.) second goal of the season and the first game-winner of her career, the Knights took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute of play. Sophomore goalie
Samantha Hines-Hirsch (Plainview, N.Y.) and the Knights' defense held firm for the remainder of the match, shutting down the Saints' offense to secure the 1-0 victory.
With the win, the Knights earned their first victory of the season and opened East Coast Conference play on a strong note. It also marks the first time since the 2021 season that Queens has started conference play with a victory.
MATCH RECAP
For the first half hour of play, the Knights dictated the tempo, outshooting the Saints 5-0. Junior midfielder
Anna Tavantzis (Holbrook, N.Y.) recorded the first shot of the match in the sixth minute, but her effort sailed wide.
Queens continued to apply pressure and earned a corner kick in the 11th minute. Off the cross, junior forward
Carly Koprowski (Wantagh, N.Y.) directed a header on target, but the Saints' goalkeeper came up with the save to keep the match scoreless.
Just a minute later, the Knights earned another corner kick, however, rookie forward
Grace Kinney (Sammamish, WA) had her shot blocked in the 12th minute, as the Knights maintained their attacking momentum.
An offside call soon after canceled out another promising opportunity, and in the 20th minute, Goicochea's shot was blocked before another offside flag halted a second attacking chance.
In the 21st minute, Queens found the back of the net as junior defender
Lluvy Lewis (Valley Stream, N.Y.) sent a precise long ball to Goicochea, who fired a shot over the Saints' goalkeeper to put the Knights ahead 1-0.
The Saints registered their first two shots of the match in the 33rd and 34th minutes, but both attempts sailed wide to the left as Queens maintained a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Looking to double their advantage early in the second half, junior
Jenna Rosenberger (Smithtown, N.Y) and sophomore midfielder
Keeley Harden (Orlando, Fla.) each had shots saved as the Saints' defense held firm to keep the Knights advantage at 1-0.
The Saints mounted pressure and recorded their first shot on goal in the 66th minute, but Hines-Hirsch was up to the task, preserving the Knights' lead.
Queens fought through a physical final 20 minutes, an intense battle marked by five fouls called against them, as they secured their first shutout of the season and opened ECC play with a hard-earned victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Goicochea scored her team-leading second goal of the year and first career game-winning goal.
- The rookie leads the Knights with a team-best four points.
- Lewis recorded her first assist of the season.
- In goal, Hines-Hirsch recorded one save to earn her first shutout victory of the year.
- The Knights outshot the Saints 10-4, 5-1 shots on goal.
NEXT MATCH
Taking a short break from ECC play, the Knights will hit the road to Pleasantville, N.Y., on Tuesday, September 23, for a non-conference matchup against the Pace University Setters. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights), Instagram (qcknightsny), women's soccer (qcwsoccer)
