St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
Penn State
No. 9 Penn State Defeats St. John's, 5-0
8/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Aug. 19, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After the four-hour season-opening victory against George Mason on Friday night, the St. John's women's soccer team finished opening weekend 1-1 after losing 5-0 at No. 9 Penn State on Sunday afternoon.
With inclement weather still in the area, the original 2:30 p.m. start was pushed back to 3 p.m. after an early lighting delay.
Penn State (2-0), who upset No. 7 Virginia, 3-1, on Friday night, scored early making it 2-0 in the first 20 minutes of action. Nittany Lion midfielder Christine Nairn scored both goals. The first goal was scored from the top of 18 yard box to the lower left corner, and the second was on a rebound from just outside six yards after Red Storm junior goalkeeper Lauren Ferris (1-1) saved the first shot.
The Nittany Lions went up 3-0 on a penalty kick goal in the 21st minute by midfielder Maddy Evans. Three minutes later, midfielder Emily Hurd made it 4-0 in favor of Penn State.
Rookie Diamond Thomas had the Red Storm's first shot attempt in the 32nd minute. But her ball was stopped by Penn State keeper Erin McNulty.
Senior midfielder Kathy Gualotuna attempted a header off classmate Runa Stefansdottir's corner kick, but her shot was blocked by the Nittany Lion defense.
With five minutes left in the first period, Red Storm rookie goalkeeper Ellen Conway made her collegiate-debut, subbing in for Ferris. Conway stayed in for the rest of the contest, allowing just one goal in her first appearance and saving three Penn State attempts. Conway made her first save five minutes into the second half, also drawing a foul on the Nittany Lions.
In the 53rd minute, Penn State scored their final goal off a header by Raquel Rodriguez.
All four of St. John's rookies saw significant game action. Rookie midfielder Emily Cubbage played all 90 minutes.
The Red Storm (1-1) will look to rebound from the loss at Penn State on Friday, Aug. 24 for the first of three-consecutive home contests. St. John's will host Air Force on Friday at 5 p.m. as part of ROTC Appreciation Night. On Sunday, Aug. 26, St. John's will host Stony Brook at 1 p.m., then the following Friday, Aug. 31, the Red Storm will welcome Brown to Belson Stadium to play under the lights at 7 p.m.
So far this season, St. John's is 1-0 at Belson Stadium.
