Red Storm Erases Late Deficit, Downs Villanova, 3-2, in Overtime

Thursday, October 18

Queens, N.Y. (Belson Stadium)

7:00 PM

St. John's University

8-7-1, 4-2-1BE

Villanova

9-7, 3-4BE

OT 2

Villanova

ST. JOHN'S

Red Storm Erases Late Deficit, Downs Villanova, 3-2, in Overtime

10/18/2018 10:34:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Christina Bellero scores twice, assists on another to lead the Johnnies past the Wildcats

By: Andrew O'Connell

With 30 minutes to play in regulation and three critical BIG EAST points on the line, St. John's trailed visiting Villanova by a pair of goals on Thursday night at Belson Stadium. In need of a heroic effort to erase the deficit, the Red Storm turned to its senior class, who promptly found the back of the net three times and secured a crucial conference victory for the Johnnies.

Christina Bellero recorded two of the Red Storm's three goals, cutting into the initial 2-0 deficit in the 60th minute before adding the game winner in the ninth minute of the opening overtime period. The Melville, N.Y., native also assisted on the Red Storm's equalizer in the 88th, a skillful shot off the foot of classmate Lucy Whipp. Two other members of the senior class, Samie Scaffidi and Mecara Bruce, also added helpers in the Red Storm's thrilling comeback. Bruce did the leg work necessary for the Johnnies' first goal, winning a 50-50 ball that found its way to Bellero and into the back of the net. Scaffidi made the game winner possible in the 99th, creating separation before sending a pinpoint cross into the box for Bellero.

With the win, St. John's (8-7-1) improved to 4-2-1 in BIG EAST play and inched ever closer to securing a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament. Villanova fell to 9-7 with a 3-4 mark against conference foes.

Meredith Reinhardt bolstered her record to 7-5-1 on the year for St. John's, which won its third-straight decision. The Arizona transfer recorded three saves on the evening.

Long before the late-game drama, Reinhardt made the save of the match on her first opportunity of the night, denying Bri Austin on the doorstep with a wave of the hand in the third minute.

Villanova controlled possession in the opening period of play, registering nine of the game's first 10 shots, including a highlight reel goal from Shaye Seyffart in the 17th minute. Following a pair of touch passes from Reagan Smith and Daniela Nelson, the freshman tucked a curving try underneath the cross bar from 25 yard outs, giving the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead.

Despite some key halftime adjustments from Head Coach Ian Stone that helped shift momentum in St. John's favor in the opening minutes of the second stanza, Villanova appeared to break the game open with another tally in the 58th. Kristin Barbour kept a corner kick on the ground in front to Chloe O'Neill, who flicked one past Reinhardt to put the Wildcats ahead by a pair

Just two and a half minutes later, the Red Storm cut into the Villanova lead with Bellero's first goal of the night. Following a corner kick from Zsani Kajan, a scrum ensued in front of the net that saw Bruce emerge with possession of the ball. The Bordentown, N.J., native pushed it out to Bellero, who converted and sliced the St. John's deficit in half.

The Red Storm continued to apply pressure over the next several minutes, as Kajan narrowly missed one high in the 69th before Bellero was stoned in the 70th minute from a tough angle on the left side of the net.

With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, Bellero sent a cross from the left side that was deflected off the foot of a Villanova defender to a wide open Whipp alone in the box. The senior from Ormskirk, England, tuck a right-footed strike inside the right post, tying the contest at two apiece and sending the contest into overtime.

The end of regulation featured some fireworks, as Samantha Masur and Villanova keeper Hensley Hancuff were involved in an altercation that resulted in matching red cards.

With both sides missing the services of one player in the extra period, the Red Storm notched the game winner just a few seconds into the 99^th minute. After collecting a pass from Alexa Dolgos just inside midfield, Emily Purtell, who entered the game at the start of overtime, sent a long pass down the right side for a streaking Scaffidi. Scaffidi played the ball forward to create separation before blasting a cross into the box toward Bellero. A pair of Villanova defenders, including newly minted goalkeeper Rebecca Gartner, attempted to make a sliding stab at the ball, but it floated harmlessly to Bellero, who banged it home to secure three points for the Johnnies.

The Red Storm has just two regular season games remaining in 2018, as the squad heads to Xavier for a Sunday matinee before closing out the campaign with a contest against DePaul on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Belson Stadium.