Rockville Centre, N.Y. – On the back of a season-high 18 shots and nine shots on goal, the Molloy women's soccer team topped the Spartans of St. Thomas Aquinas College, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at John A. Darcy Field. Molloy improves to 2-1-3 overall and 1-0 in East Coast Conference play, while the Spartans move to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in league play.
 
How it Happened

• The Lions opened the contest with two corners and two shots in the first five minutes. Graduate student Lauren Marinello blasted a shot on target that was saved in the fifth minute.
• After 12 minutes of unsettled play, Molloy was able to get off two shots off the foot of graduate student Caitlin Kennedy and freshman Isabella Muro, but both were sent wide of target.
• Kennedy generated her second chance in the 29^th minute, but her shot hit off the post to keep the contest without a score.
• In the 35^th minute Molloy broke through, following a cross into the box Marinello found the loose ball and blasted it into the back of the net to put the Lions in front, 1-0.
• The home team had one final chance to add to its lead in the 43^rd minute, but sophomore Mikaela Barriga had her header attempt go wide. Molloy led, 1-0, heading into the break.
• 2:16 into the second stanza, freshman Edith Vanegas found space down the left side, crossed it into the box and found the foot of sophomore Olivia Ingenito who got it past the goalkeeper to give Molloy a two-goal cushion, 2-0.
• Five minutes later, the Spartans cut the lead in half, 2-1, following a goal from Ella Connolly.
• In the 64^th minute following a throw in from senior Sarah Tappeto. Junior Alessandra Borsellino headed the ball forward finding a cutting Ingenito, who made two dribbles at the top of the box and fired her second goal of the afternoon to reestablish the Lions' two-goal advantage, 3-1.
• The Lions backline allowed one shot on goal in the final 26 minutes, but freshman goalkeeper Elyse Muñoz made a stop in the 82^nd minute to solidify the 3-1 victory.

Top Performances

• Ingenito tallied two goales, four shots with all four attempts coming on goal.
• Marinello netted her second goal of the season. The Merrick native has tallied a point in each of her first three games.
• Muro collected her first collegiate point with an assist.
• In goal, Muñoz made one save to pick up her first collegiate victory.

Up Next
Molloy will head back on the road as they will travel to play former ECC foe the University of Bridgeport Wednesday (Sept. 20). The game is set to begin at 6:00 p.m.