St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
Central Connecticut
Unbeaten Red Storm Top Central Connecticut 2-1
9/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 3, 2004
New Britain, CT - Holly Ryder's (Plantation, FL) 25-yard blast lifted the Red Storm to a 2-1 victory over Central Connecticut this afternoon. St. John's remains unbeaten on the season, improving to 3-0, while the Blue Devils fall to 1-2.
Two key saves late in the match by Red Storm keeper Tracey Rollings (Paignton, England) kept the Blue Devils at bay and allowed St. John's to hang on for the come-from-behind win.
There was no score at the half, as the two teams played a fairly even opening period. Central Connecticut had an early opportunity, but the Blue Devil forward fouled Rollings on a header inside the six-yard marker, ending the play. CCSU followed with a near-miss seven minutes later when Sophie Hopper made a run down the right side of the field and dished the ball to Kelly Shimmin, whose shot caught the top of the crossbar and bounced out.
The Red Storm's best shot for the go-ahead came with 17 minutes remaining in the first. Dominica Reina (Frankfort, NY) picked up a loose ball in the center of the 18-yard box, turned and fired a shot that was saved by Ashley Ferra in the net for Central Connecticut.
The Blue Devils struck early in the second half and broke the scoreless tie at the 45:08 mark. Hopper sent a pass into the middle of the Red Storm defense that met Denise Thomas. With her back to the net, Thomas turned and chipped the ball into the goal for the 1-0 advantage.
St. John's responded immediately, as the offense pushed up the field. A shot by Reina was saved by Ferra, who dove to her left and deflected the ball, but Kaitlin Schmidt (Centereach, NY) was there and sent the rebound into the back of the net less than two minutes after the CCSU goal.
The Red Storm took the lead with 35 minutes remaining in regulation, when Holly Ryder (Plantation, FL) cut twice in the middle of the field to beat two defenders and sent a left footed blast from 25-yards out into the upper right corner for the 2-1 lead.
With time running out, Central Connecticut forged several game-tying attempts, including two back-to-back shots on goal late in the game. Hopper's shot with 12 minutes remaining was tipped by Rollings out of bounds and a shot from Kari Mancini from just five yards away was also deflected over the crossbar by the Red Storm netminder.
St. John's fell back into defensive mode for the remainder of the game and held on for the win.
Rollings improves to 3-0 on the season, finishing today with five saves. Ferra finished with two saves in goal for Central Connecticut.
The Red Storm will return to St. John's on Sunday for the 2004 home opener against Binghamton. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 pm.
