JERSEY CITY, N.J.--The Saint Peter's women's soccer team outlasted Niagara, 5–4, in a back-and-forth battle at Jaroschak Field on Saturday afternoon. The win marked the Peacocks' first victory in a MAAC opener since 2019 and their first over the Purple Eagles since 2009.
Joana Dias paced the Peacocks' attack with two goals and an assist in today's victory, while freshman goalkeeper
Bergljot Kristinsdottir recorded four saves against a career-high 20 shots faced.
FIRST HALF
The Peacocks struck first just 10 minutes in when a free kick led to a foul in the box.
Macey Williams drew contact off kick from
Tuva Norell, earning a penalty. Dias stepped to the spot and slotted her attempt into the lower left corner, putting Saint Peter's up 1-0.
Saint Peter's doubled the lead midway through the half on a smooth passing sequence. After a chipped ball over the top to
Mayla McLean, the freshman crossed into the box from the right side. Though the initial ball sailed high,
Heidi Miles kept the play alive at the baseline with a one-touch pass to
Julia Pinho Magno, who buried it in the left corner to make it 2–0.
The Peacocks added a third in the 29th minute when
Amanda Andreus' cross from the left side deflected off a defender and fell to Dias. The junior volleyed it past the keeper for her second goal of the half.
Niagara responded before the break, converting on its third consecutive corner in the 40th minute when Soraya Ross slipped a shot inside the near post.
At halftime, Saint Peter's held a 6–5 edge in shots and had an impressive .833 team shots-on-goal percentage, while Niagara carried a 6–1 advantage in corners.
SECOND HALF
The Peacocks quickly extended their lead after the restart. In the 48th minute, Pinho Magno earned a penalty after being fouled on a breakaway. She converted from the spot to put Saint Peter's up 4–1. Just two minutes later, Dias and
Alexa De Barros combined on a give-and-go that freed De Barros for a finish inside the box, pushing the advantage to 5–1.
Niagara mounted a furious rally, scoring twice in a two-minute span. Sophomore Mahelie Barbeau struck off a rebound in the 55th minute, followed shortly by sophomore Sarah Lucas' cleanup finish after her initial effort rattled the crossbar. The Purple Eagles then pulled within one in the 82nd minute when Caitlyn Gratton headed it home after a long-range strike hit the bar.
FINAL STATS
Niagara outshot Saint Peter's 20-13 and held an 8-2 edge in corners. Both sides finished even in shots on goal (8–8). Kristinsdottir tallied four saves, while Dias recorded a season-high five points (two goals, one assist). Saint Peter's finished with a .615 shots-on-goal percentage.
UP NEXT
The Peacocks hit the road on Saturday, September 13, traveling to Emmitsburg, Md., to face Mount St. Mary's at Waldron Family Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET.
