FLUSHING, N.Y. – The 2026 Queens College women's soccer season kicked off Thursday evening on a strong note as senior
Ashley Kieblesz recorded her first career brace to help the Knights earn a 2-0 victory over the visiting Felician University Golden Falcons.
The victory marks the first time since the 2013 season that the Knights have won their season opener, when they defeated Pace University in Dobbs Ferry on Sept. 6. It also marks the first time since the 2002 season that Queens has opened its season with a victory in Flushing, dating back to a 2-0 victory over NJIT on Sept. 11.
MATCH RECAP
Queens wasted no time applying pressure as the Knights earned a corner kick just 60 seconds into the contest.
Following an offside call in the third minute, Kieblesz recorded the first shot of the contest in the fourth minute, but her attempt was blocked. However, the senior found the back of the net on the rebound to give Queens a 1-0 lead and record her first goal of the season.
The Knights continued to apply pressure as senior
Anna Tavantzis had her shot saved in the fifth minute before junior
Morgan Khadra was denied in the 11th minute.
Felician recorded its first shot of the contest in the 15th minute, but a timely clearance kept the Knights' 1-0 lead intact.
In the 25th minute, senior goalkeeper
Samantha Hines-Hirsch recorded her first save of the contest as the Golden Falcons looked to apply pressure.
As the Knights continued to dictate the pace of play, Khadra and rookie
Mia Hanson each recorded shots as Queens looked to maintain its one-goal advantage.
Hines-Hirsch made her second save of the first half in the 38th minute, denying a Golden Falcons opportunity near the bottom center of the goal as the home side went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Felician apply more pressure as the Golden Falcons outshot the Knights, 7-6.
Queens came out with the same tempo as the first half, with Kieblesz and senior
Jenna Rosenberger recording back-to-back shots to open the second half.
Following a Felician corner kick, Hines-Hirsch made back-to-back saves in the 65th minute to deny the visitors before a third shot deflected off the post.
As the Knights continued to defend their lead, Tavantzis delivered a through ball to Kieblesz, who completed her first career brace with a shot through the right side of the net in the 72nd minute to give Queens a commanding 2-0 lead.
Over the final 15 minutes, Hines-Hirsch and the Queens backline limited Felician to four shots, none of which were on target, to secure the Knights' first home victory since the 2002 season.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens outshot Felician, 15-10, and held a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal.
- Kieblesz recorded a career-best four-point performance and tallied her fifth and sixth goals as a Knight.
- Tavantzis recorded her sixth career assist and 16th career point.
- Hines-Hirsch recorded her 10th career shutout and earned her 13th career win between the pipes.
NEXT MATCH
Queens continues its season-opening three-match homestand Sunday, Aug. 30, as the Knights welcome Caldwell University Cougars to Flushing. The Cougars open their 2026 season Friday, Aug. 28, against American International College. Kickoff is set for noon.
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)
