LAKEWOOD, N.J. – Playing on the road for the first time this season, the regionally ranked No. 9 Queens College women's soccer team battled Georgian Court University in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at the GCU Track & Field Complex.
After a scoreless 80 minutes, senior
Ashley Kieblesz broke through in the 81st minute with her team-leading fifth goal of the season and second game-winner. Senior goalkeeper
Samantha Hines-Hirsch made five saves to secure her third shutout of the season as the Knights defeated the Lions, 1-0.
With the victory, Queens improves to 3-1 on the season.
MATCH RECAP
Queens immediately applied pressure, as junior
Morgan Khadra fired a shot just 16 seconds into the match, but her attempt sailed high.
The Lions responded with two shots on target during the opening 15 minutes, but Hines-Hirsch denied both attempts to keep the match scoreless.
The Knights continued to create chances on the counterattack, with senior
Kayla Camacho seeing two attempts blocked before Khadra sent a shot wide in the 23rd minute.
Queens maintained its attacking pressure, but senior
Jenna Rosenberger and rookie
Mia Hanson each had attempts blocked in the 29th minute.
Hines-Hirsch came up with another save in the 32nd minute to deny Georgian Court before sophomore
Grace Kinney had her counterattack attempt blocked in the 36th minute. The teams entered halftime scoreless.
Queens came out aggressively after the break, but an attacking opportunity was called offside just 37 seconds into the second half.
The Lions generated two shots on target over the opening 11 minutes of the half, but Hines-Hirsch turned both away.
Georgian Court continued to control possession and nearly broke through in the 70th minute when a shot deflected off the crossbar. Another attempt sailed high two minutes later.
As the match entered its final 18 minutes, Queens' backline settled in and held the Lions to one shot. The Knights began to dictate the pace of play, outshooting Georgian Court, 4-1, during the stretch.
Following another offside call that negated an attacking opportunity, Queens finally broke through in the 81st minute.
Senior
Anna Tavantzis found Kieblesz at the top of the 18-yard box, where the senior forward dribbled around multiple defenders before firing a left-footed shot from 18 yards out into the upper-left corner to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.
Georgian Court looked for an immediate response, but Queens' defense stood firm. In the 83rd minute, junior
Keeley Harden and senior
Ava Lekanides combined to block the Lions' final shot attempt.
The Knights played out the final minute while defending back-to-back corner kicks to secure their third shutout victory of the season and first road win of the campaign.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens outshot Georgian Court, 14-12, while the Lions held a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal.
- Khadra and Kieblesz combined for seven shots, with Kieblesz recording Queens' lone shot on target.
- Kieblesz scored her team-leading fifth goal and second game-winner of the season.
- Kieblesz now leads the Knights with 10 points on the season.
- Hines-Hirsch recorded a season-high five saves to earn her third shutout.
- Queens earned its first victory over Georgian Court since a 1-0 win in Flushing on Sept. 15, 2013. The Knights also earned their first road victory in Lakewood since a 3-0 win in 2009.
NEXT MATCH
Queens returns home Wednesday, Sept. 9, to open a two-match homestand against Pace University Setters. Kickoff is set for 7:00 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)
