FLUSHING, N.Y. – On Wednesday evening, the Queens College women's soccer team welcomes the Cougars of Caldwell University to Flushing for a non-conference match before opening East Coast Conference play on the weekend.
Despite notching a season-high 15 shots and tying a season-high six shots on goal through their first four matches, it would be a tough loss for the Knights as the Cougars earned a 1-0 victory in Flushing.
With the loss, the Knights see their record move to 1-2-1 on the season.
While on Tuesday (Sept. 12) afternoon and in just his second season in charge, head coach
Thomas Paris and the Knights would earn their first East Regional ranking in program history as they were voted #10 in the United Soccer Coaches poll.
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Match Recap
On a day where the weather forecasted a downpour during the evening, It would be partially overcast conditions. But as the suns decided to beam down, the Knights would be left frustrated throughout the 90 minutes of play.
In the fourth minute of play, it was the Cougars who would take a 1-0 lead to start the match.
But the Knights offense would waste no time in trying to find the equalizer as rookie
Lluvy Lewis's (Valley Stream, N.Y.) shot sailed left just 35 seconds into the restart of play.
In the fifth minute of play, junior
Julia Ragone (Centereach, N.Y.) was denied her second goal of the season as the Cougars goalie made a timely save.
Despite controlling possession throughout the first half, the Cougars would continue to shut out the Knights in their quest for the equalizer.
In the 23
rd minute of play, rookie
Anna Tavantzis (Holbrook, N.Y) shot on goal headed for the bottom center of the net would be bottled up by the Cougars goalie.
Continue to press, freshman
Laila Morales (Long Island City, N.Y.) shot in the 29
th minute would be denied by the defense again. As they outshot the visitors 11-2 in the first half, Queens would go into halftime trailing 1-0.
As Queens continued their quest to tie the game, it would be a defensive battle in the second half as both sides maintained equal possession of the ball.
In the 56
th minute of play, the Knights would be denied on three attempts on goal as rookie
Jenna Rosenberger (Smithtown, N.Y.), Jacklyn Diel (Stony Brook, N.Y.) and Ragone shots were all saved by the Cougars goalie.
As graduate student
Erin Kelly (Massapequa, N.Y.) and her defense continued to shut out the Cougars' offense in the second half, the Cougars defense would match the effort on their end.
It would be a very physical second half as the foul count climbed into double digits for both sides.
With play clock entering the final 10 minutes of play, a counterattack would be turned away as an offside was called on the Knights in the 79
th minute of play.
After Caldwell turned away a Knights corner kick in the 90
th minute, Queens would get one final chance from 20 yards as the offense drew a set piece with seven seconds left in the match.
But a cross from Tavantzis would be turned away as the early goal by the Cougars would remain the lone goal of the match as Queens were left frustrated after the final whistle blew to drop their first home match of the season.
Match Highlights
- The Knights outshot the Cougars with a season-high 15-5 shot margin and 6-4 shots on goal advantage.
- Ragone led the offense with a season-high six shots with two shots on goal, while four other Knights recorded a shot on goal.
- Kelly made three saves in the net with all three shots coming in the second half.
Next Match
Head coach
Thomas Paris and the Knights
(1-1-1 Overall) open East Coast Conference play in Buffalo, N.Y. on Saturday (Sept. 16) morning as they match up against the Wildcats of Daemen University. Kickoff is set for 11:00 am.
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)
