BROOKLYN, N.Y.-- The Saint Peter's women's soccer team capped off the weekend with a commanding 3–0 victory over LIU Sunday afternoon at LIU Soccer Park. Three different Peacocks found the back of the net in the win
LIU was the first to test the waters with a strike from outside the 18-yard box, but keeper
Bergljot Kristinsdottir made a clean save to keep the match scoreless. Moments later, the Peacocks marched the ball back up the pitch, responding with a chance from
Julia Pinho Magno, who fired a shot from a similar spot, but the Sharks' keeper matched her with a save of her own.
Halfway through the half, the Sharks earned a corner and tested Kristinsdottir again, but the rookie stood tall with another stop. A minute later, LIU pressed forward once more, but the Peacocks' defense held strong, blocking the attempt.
35-minutes into the half, Saint Peter's found its breakthrough.
Mayla McLean sent a cross into the box that was deflected for a corner, and junior
Stella Accettola served it inside the six-yard box. The ball skipped past the keeper and landed at the feet of captain
Wilma Thodhlana, who finished the play for a 1–0 Peacocks lead.
At halftime, LIU held a 4–2 edge in total shots, while Saint Peter's led 4–2 in corners. Both sides recorded two shots on goal.
The Sharks looked to equalize early in the second half, firing off a shot just 35 seconds in, but missed wide. Keeping the attack up, LIU was awarded a free kick and used the opportunity to create a shot off about 20 yards out, but the Saint Peter's defense blocked the attempt. The Sharks got their own rebound and tried for another shot just a bit closer, but that strike missed high.
Saint Peter's doubled the lead with its first chance of the half. McLean fed
Alexa De Barros, whose cross was deflected for a corner. Off the service from Accettola, the ball ricocheted off
Macey Williams' head in the six-yard box, and
Tuva Norell cleaned up the play, slipping the ball past the keeper deep into the left corner for a 2-0 lead.
Yellow cards were issued to the Saint Peter's bench and senior goalkeeper
Emma Lopes in the 65th and 66th minutes.
With 15 minutes remaining, McLean found herself attacking the net again, forcing the LIU keeper into another save. Saint Peter's won the punt and fed McLean once more, this time trying to cross, but the ball was headed out for a corner. From the service, the ball bounced around, even being cleared from the final third. Peacocks kept the pressure alive, working the ball through
Jacqui Weber and
Allyssia Merisier, who found McLean in one touch. She broke free from her defender, drilling a shot into the opposite corner, putting the match out of reach for LIU at 3-0.
De Barros received a yellow card in the 88th minute.
LIU outshot Saint Peter's 10–6 in the second half and held a 5–3 lead in corners, while Kristinsdottir recorded four saves to secure the shutout.
UP NEXT
The Peacocks return home Thursday, August 28, for their debut at renovated Jaroschak Field against St. Bonaventure. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
