RINDGE, N.H. – The second year of the
Thomas Paris era got underway Friday (Sept. 1) evening on a neutral pitch as the Queens College women's soccer team traveled to New Hampshire.
The Knights matched up against the Owls of Southern Connecticut State University on the campus of Franklin Pierce University at Sodexo Field.
Looking to start the season on a positive note, Queens saw 10 newcomers make their debut with five Knights earning their first career start in graduate student goalie
Erin Kelly (Massapequa, N.Y.), and four rookies in forward
Jenna Rosenberger (Smithtown, N.Y.), midfielder
Anna Tavantzis (Holbrook, N.Y.), and defenders
Cassidy Pong (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and
Ava Angiuli (Wantagh, N.Y.) in Knights uniform.
While junior
Brianna Obregon (Deer Park, N.Y.), and rookies
Lluvy Lewis (Valley Stream, N.Y.), Evelyn Martinez Phelps (Smithtown, N.Y.), Alyssa Illiano (Valley Stream, N.Y.), and
Solana Hernandez (Homewood, IL) made their debuts off the bench.
The first half of the match would see the Owls maintain possession as they outshot the Knights 3-0 with two shots on goal. But an alert Kelly would keep the visitors off the scoreboard as the young Knights squad looked to find their rhythm. But both sides would go into halftime with both sides searching for their first goal of the season.
In the opening minutes of the second half, it would be the Knights who get an opportunity to score on a free kick in the 48
th minute from 20 yards out. But the free kick would sail wide.
After having defended for the majority of the game, a corner kick in the 71
st minute would give Queens their first scoring chance of the evening. But rookie Lewis's shot would be bottled up by the Owls goalie.
With the match still scoreless heading to the final 13 minutes of play, Kelly and her defense would remain solid with the Massapequa native denying the Owls on four opportunities including a shot in the 85
th minute of play to earn the hard-fought scoreless draw to open the 2023 season.
With the draw, the Knights
(0-0-1 Overall) ended a seven-match losing streak against the Owls
(0-0-1 Overall) against their regional opponent.
Match Highlights
- Lewis tallied the lone shot on goal.
- Kelly recorded seven saves including five in the second half.
- The Knights were outshot 13-1 (7-1 shots on goal).
Post Match Comment
Head Coach Thomas Paris: "It was a physical game for both teams, I am proud of the entire team for showing such resilience and fighting until the end."
UP NEXT: Head coach
Thomas Paris and the Knights
(0-0-1 Overall) conclude the opening weekend of play on Sunday (Sept. 3) afternoon against host Ravens of Franklin Pierce University
(0-0-1 Overall) at Sodexo Field. Kickoff is set for 3:00 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)
