FLUSHING, N.Y. – Having earned the No. 3 seed in the East Coast Conference (ECC) Women's Soccer Championship and the right to host a First Round matchup, the Queens College women's soccer team welcomed the No. 6 seed Daemen University Wildcats to Knights Field on Wednesday night, with a spot in Saturday's semifinal on the line.
Senior
Ashley Kieblesz gave the Knights an early lead just five minutes into the contest, but the Wildcats held off Queens' attack in the second half before finding the equalizer with nine minutes remaining in regulation to force overtime. Junior
Ava Lekanides would deliver the game-winning goal in extra time as Queens secured a 2-1 victory over Daemen to advance to Saturday's semifinal.
With the victory, Queens improves to 9-4-4 overall on the season. For the second time in three seasons, head coach
Thomas Paris and the Knights have earned a postseason victory, marking the second postseason win in program history, both under Paris's guidance.
MATCH RECAP
Both sides looked to attack early, as sophomore
Ana Impellizzeri recorded the first shot of the contest in the third minute, but her attempt was blocked.
Daemen responded on the counterattack in the fifth minute, but Lily Macfarlane's shot sailed wide of the left post.
The Knights struck first in the fifth minute as senior
Jenna Rosenberger and senior All-ECC Second Team selection
Kayla Camacho combined to set up ECC Co-Offensive Player of the Year and All-ECC First Team honoree Kieblesz. The senior forward unleashed a right-footed strike from 18 yards out into the bottom-right corner to give Queens a 1-0 lead.
Queens continued to apply pressure in the attacking third, as rookie All-ECC First Team honoree
Mia Hanson sent a shot over the crossbar in the ninth minute before Kieblesz tested Daemen goalkeeper Rylee Kumer in the 14th minute, only to be denied by a save.
The Wildcats responded with a pair of attempts as they searched for the equalizer. Macayla Hansen's shot struck the crossbar before Kaitline Mettler sent an attempt wide of the left post following a corner kick.
The Knights maintained their defensive shape for the remainder of the half, carrying a 1-0 advantage into the break.
Queens continued to push for an insurance goal in the second half, looking to extend its lead.
In the opening 10 minutes after halftime, Hanson put two shots on target, but Kumer came up with a pair of saves to deny the rookie her first postseason goal and keep Daemen within one.
Camacho nearly doubled the Knights' advantage in the 61st minute, but her attempt following a cross from Lekanides sailed just over the crossbar.
Queens continued to threaten in the attacking third, but Hanson was denied by the crossbar once again in the 74th minute.
In the 80th minute, rookie
Angelina Quezada unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards out, but Kumer made another timely save. A subsequent handball in the box awarded Queens a penalty kick, presenting the Knights with an opportunity to extend their lead.
However, Kumer kept the Wildcats in the contest, diving to save Lekanides' penalty attempt.
Daemen capitalized on the momentum and counterattacked moments later, as Hansen threaded a through ball to Marisa Rickard, who found the back of the net in the 81st minute to level the score at 1-1.
Neither side managed another shot in the closing minutes of regulation as the Knights, who outshot Daemen 9-1 in the second half, headed into overtime.
With the golden goal rule in effect, both teams looked to find the decisive breakthrough in extra time.
Following a long punt from ECC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year and All-ECC First Team honoree senior
Samantha Hines-Hirsch, Camacho drove the ball into the Daemen penalty area, earning Queens its third corner kick of the evening.
In the 93rd minute, Hanson delivered a cross from the left side into the box, where Lekanides rose to head home the game-winner and send the Knights into celebration. Her golden goal sealed a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory for Queens and punched the Knights' ticket to Saturday's ECC Championship Semifinal.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens outshot Daemen 19-4, including a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal.
- Kieblesz recorded her team-leading 11th goal of the season, extending her team-high points total to 24.
- Her 11 goals are the most by a Knight in a single season since Diana Redman scored 11 in 2006.
- Lekanides recorded her third goal of the season and first game-winning goal, bringing her season total to six points.
- Hanson recorded her team-leading sixth assist of the season, extending her points total to 10.
- Rosenberger recorded her third assist of the season, bringing her season total to five points.
- Camacho notched her fourth assist of the season, recording her fourth point of the year.
- Hines-Hirsch earned her ninth victory of the season.
Next Match
Queens heads to Rockville Centre, N.Y., on Saturday, Oct. 31, to take on the No. 2 seed Molloy University Lions in the ECC Championship Semifinal, with a spot in the championship match on the line. Kickoff is set for noon.
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