FLUSHING, N.Y. – Opening East Coast Conference play, the regionally-ranked No. 10 Queens College women's soccer team welcomed regionally-ranked No. 9 and defending ECC champions Roberts Wesleyan University to Knights Field Saturday afternoon.
After a scoreless first half, the Knights erupted for three second-half goals, led by the senior duo of
Anna Tavantzis and
Ashley Kieblesz. Tavantzis recorded her first brace of the season as Queens earned a 3-0 shutout victory over the Redhawks.
Queens improves to 5-3 overall on the season and opens ECC play with a victory for the second consecutive season.
MATCH RECAP
In another tough regional battle against a Redhawks squad riding an 18-match unbeaten streak, the Knights controlled the majority of the play throughout the 90 minutes.
Through the opening 20 minutes, Queens tallied four shots, including two shots on goal from senior
Jenna Rosenberger, while a shot from Kieblesz deflected off the right post.
Roberts Wesleyan nearly opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when a shot on the counterattack deflected off the left post.
Three minutes later, Kieblesz put another shot on target, but the Redhawks goalkeeper made the save to keep the contest scoreless.
Over the final 15 minutes of the opening half, Tavantzis and junior
Keeley Harden each recorded a shot on target, but Queens and Roberts Wesleyan entered halftime deadlocked at 0-0.
Picking up where they left off, the Knights opened the scoring in the 48th minute. Rookie
Mia Hanson put a shot on target that was saved, earning Queens a corner kick. Hanson then delivered an inswinging corner toward the near post, where Tavantzis rose to head home the opening goal of the contest.
Roberts Wesleyan attempted to respond in the 58th minute, but the Redhawks' shot sailed wide of the left post.
Queens doubled its advantage two minutes later as Rosenberger and senior
Kayla Camacho connected with Kieblesz, who blasted home her team-leading seventh goal of the season to put the Knights ahead, 2-0.
Looking to rally, the Redhawks recorded a shot on target in the 62nd minute, but senior goalkeeper
Samantha Hines-Hirsch came up with a timely save to preserve the Knights' two-goal advantage.
Queens extended its lead to 3-0 in the 67th minute as Hanson connected with Tavantzis on another inswinging delivery, with the senior finishing for her second goal of the afternoon and first brace of the season.
Over the final 20 minutes, Hines-Hirsch and the Queens defense held Roberts Wesleyan to just two shots as the Knights secured their fifth shutout of the season and opened ECC play with a victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens outshot Roberts Wesleyan, 14-6, while holding a 12-3 advantage in shots on goal.
- Kieblesz, Rosenberger and Tavantzis combined for 11 shots and 10 shots on goal.
- Tavantzis recorded her first brace of the season, extending her season points total to eight.
- Kieblesz recorded her team-leading seventh goal of the season and extended her team-best points total to 14.
- Hanson recorded her team-best fourth and fifth assists of the season, extending her points total to seven.
- Camacho and Rosenberger each recorded their first assist of the season.
- Hines-Hirsch made three saves to earn her fifth shutout of the season.
- With Saturday's victory, Queens snapped a 10-match losing streak against Roberts Wesleyan, earning its first victory over the Redhawks since a 1-0 home victory on Oct. 19, 2014.
NEXT MATCH
Queens returns to non-conference play on Wednesday, Sept. 23, as the Knights welcome Saint Anselm College to Knights Field. Kickoff is set for 5:00 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)
