Aviza’s Golden Goal Lifts St. John’s Past Providence, 2-1

Sunday, October 31

Queens, N.Y. (Belson Stadium)

1 p.m.

St. John's University

11-5-2, 6-3-1

Providence

10-6-3, 5-3-2

Providence

St. John's (NY)

Aviza’s Golden Goal Lifts St. John’s Past Providence, 2-1

10/31/2021 4:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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St. John’s will take on Xavier in the semifinal round of the BIG EAST Championship on Thursday

Isabelle Aviza converted on the golden goal just seconds into overtime on Sunday afternoon, as the St. John's women's soccer team defeated Providence, 2-1, in the quarterfinal round of the BIG EAST Tournament.

With the win, the Red Storm (11-5-2, 6-3-1) advances to the semifinals for the first time since 2016. The Johnnies will face off against Xavier on Thursday evening in Cincinnati.

"I thought that was a tremendous team effort," said Head Coach Ian Stone. "We dug really deep and found a way to get a result against an excellent Providence team."

Aviza's fourth goal of the season came just 24 seconds into the overtime period to lock in the win for the Red Storm. Frederique St.-Jean converted on the Johnnies' first goal of the afternoon for her second tally of the campaign. The Red Storm defender found the back of the net 34 seconds after entering the contest.

Nicole Gordon, who had seven assists at the conclusion of the regular season, picked up her eighth helper of the year on St.-Jean's goal.

Neither program managed to muster up much offense at the beginning of the first half, as the Friars' (10-6-3, 5-6-2) Hannah McNulty registered the first shot of the game in the 24th minute. Naya Lipkens, however, was there to make the diving stop to keep Providence off the board.

Less than a minute later, the Friars struck again, as Gillian Kenney saw her shot sail over the net to keep both teams deadlocked at 0-0.

The Red Storm needed just one shot attempt to get on the board, as St.-Jean struck in the 31st minute on the team's first chance of the game. The play began as Gordon, who possessed the ball, maneuvered around her defender before sending a long pass inside the box to a striking St.-Jean. The Quebec, Canada, native then sent a towering shot to the left corner of the cage, giving the Johnnies a 1-0 advantage.

Despite the Friars outshooting the Johnnies, 5-1, in the opening 45 minutes, the Red Storm took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

Coming out of the locker room, the Friars fired off five-consecutive shots in the first 10 minutes of the second stanza. The Red Storm defense held strong to maintain the lead.

In the 78th minute, Providence broke through as Amber Birchwell converted on the equalizer to knot the game at 1-1 and force the overtime period.

The Red Storm sealed the victory in the 91st minute. Just inside the 18-yard box, Aviza took possession of a loose ball before rocketing her shot to the right corner of the cage. The strike went over the head of the Friars' netminder for the win.

With the triumph over Providence, the Johnnies earn a date with Xavier on Thursday evening for the semifinal round of the BIG EAST Championship. The two teams will kick off at 5 p.m.