FLUSHING, N.Y. – Concluding their three-match homestand to open the 2026 season, the Queens College women's soccer team welcomed nationally ranked No. 24 Bentley University to Knights Field Wednesday afternoon for a non-conference matchup.
In a goal-filled contest, rookie
Mia Hanson recorded a career-best three-point performance, scoring her first collegiate goal and adding her second career assist, while senior
Ashley Kieblesz netted her team-leading fourth goal of the season. Despite the offensive efforts, the Knights fell to the Falcons, 6-2.
The Knights move to 2-1 overall on the season.
MATCH RECAP
Playing through rainy conditions throughout the opening half, both sides recorded one shot apiece in the opening five minutes, with Hanson putting Queens' first attempt on target in the second minute before being denied by the Bentley goalkeeper.
The Falcons would strike first in the sixth minute, finding the back of the net to take an early 1-0 lead.
Despite playing on the back foot, Queens continued to maintain its intensity as Hanson and Kieblesz consistently pressured the Falcons' defense.
With the rain continuing to increase, the Knights would find the equalizer in the 31st minute. Hanson connected with Kieblesz at the top of the 18-yard box, where the senior unleashed a left-footed shot past the diving Bentley goalkeeper to knot the contest at 1-1.
With the contest tied, rookie goalkeeper
Gabriella Astaiza came up with back-to-back saves in the 41st and 42nd minutes to deny the Falcons.
However, with just 20 seconds remaining in the opening half, Bentley would regain the lead, taking a 2-1 advantage into halftime.
The Falcons came out firing to open the second half, scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes to take a commanding 4-1 lead.
Queens would respond in the 57th minute as junior
Morgan Khadra and senior
Anna Tavantzis combined to find Hanson, who fired a shot from 20 yards over the Bentley goalkeeper and into the back of the net to cut the deficit to 4-2. The goal marked Hanson's first collegiate tally.
Looking to continue its comeback, senior
Ava Lekanides saw her shot saved in the 66th minute before Kieblesz had an attempt blocked in the 69th minute.
The Knights continued to generate chances, earning a corner kick that resulted in a Lekanides header sailing wide right as Bentley maintained its 4-2 advantage.
The Falcons would tack on two late goals to secure the 6-2 victory and hand the Knights their first defeat of the season.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens was outshot 17-15 by Bentley, including an 11-6 margin in shots on goal.
- Kieblesz, Hanson and Lekanides combined for 11 of Queens' 15 shots, including six shots on goal.
- Kieblesz recorded her team-leading fourth goal of the season, bringing her team-best points total to eight.
- Hanson recorded a career-best three points with her first collegiate goal and second career assist.
- Tavantzis recorded her second assist of the season, while Khadra added her first assist of the year.
- Astaiza made her collegiate debut and recorded five saves.
NEXT MATCH
Queens hits the road for the first time this season when the Knights travel to Lakewood, N.J., for a non-conference matchup against Georgian Court University Lions. 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)
