Women’s soccer wins seventh game of season
This past Friday the Saint Joseph’s University women’s soccer team traveled to New York where they took on the Long Island University Brooklyn Blackbirds. The Hawks’ 4-2 win improved their record to 7-1-1, their best start to a season since 1997 when they went 6-2-1 to start.
The Hawks’ four goals of the day were scored by underclassmen. Sophomore Dakota Mills got it started in the eighth minute when she headed a corner kick from fellow sophomore Paige Bergman.
In the 21st minute, sophomore Taylor Ryan extended the lead when she received a pass from freshman Gabrielle Vagnozzi and beat defenders to get off a shot over the keeper’s head to make it 2-0.
Toward the end of the first half, the Blackbirds scored to make it 2-1, but sophomore Jessica Volm answered back shortly after when she found the ball in a scramble in the box and headed it over the goalie’s hands to increase the lead to 3-1.
Vagnozzi earned her first collegiate goal in the second half when she took an outside shot and hit the upper 90 to make it 4-1. The Blackbirds scored one more goal 10 minutes later to make it 4-2, but yet again, they could not find a way to beat the Hawks’ defense.
Head Coach Jess Mannella credits the Hawks’ impressive start to the team’s new approach this season.
“We’re taking everything one game at a time and just trying to focus in practice on the little things,” Mannella said. “Everyone is on the same page and has great work ethic, and the team is really close.”
Though Mannella is impressed with the team’s start, she reminds them to stay grounded.
“We talked to them today [Friday] about how it’s a great start, but it doesn’t matter,” Mannella said. “Every game, we’re 0-0, starting Monday.”
Senior captain Emily Gingrich contributes the team’s connection on the field to their relationship off the field.
“We’re really close and do a lot of team bonding,” Gingrich said. “We were with each other a month before school started, so we were together a lot… We continue to get better each game and fix whatever the coaches tell us to.”
The Hawks’ defense is very much responsible for the team’s strong start this season, including Friday’s win.
“Our defense was playing one of their best games this season,” Mannella said. “They’re playing great and they haven’t had the shut out to prove it, but we see it on the field and that’s all that matters. Our defense is doing a great job.”
With this win, the Hawks will enter conference play this coming Thursday, Sept. 29. Gingrich recognizes the effect last weekend’s win could have on the coming game.
“It really sets the tone for us going into conference play starting next weekend,” Gingrich said. “Everyone has a good head on their shoulders, so we’re excited to start practice Monday and put in the work.”
The Hawks take on George Washington University (6-3) on Thursday at 7 p.m. in front of their home crowd.
