St. John’s Blanks UMass, 1-0, on Sunday

Sunday, February 28

Queens, N.Y. (Belson Stadium)

3 p.m.

St. John's University

3-0-0, 0-0-0

University of Massachusetts

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Massachusetts

St. John's (NY)

2/28/2021 6:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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Jessica Garziano picks up her fifth goal of the season

By: Victoria Lanza

With the scoreboard showing zeros and just under 25 minutes to play in regulation, Jessica Garziano converted on a penalty kick, pulling away from the University of Massachusetts, 1-0, for the Johnnies' third-straight win on Sunday afternoon at Belson Stadium.

Garziano, who recorded her first career hat trick in the Red Storm's last outing against Sacred Heart on Thursday, provided all the offense St. John's (3-0-0) would need. The sophomore midfielder found the back of the net in the 66th minute off a penalty kick. With the score, Garziano bumped her team-high total to five, picking up her second game-winner of the season.

On the game, the Red Storm took 10 shots, putting half of those tries on target. Zsani Kajan, the BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, logged a team-high five shots, with three looks on goal. Garziano and Ava Collins registered two shots while Brooke Boyd fired off one.

Jordan Kamp and Naya Lipkens combined to record the Red Storm's second-straight shutout. Lipkens saved the Minutewomen's lone look on goal to pick up her third win in as many games.

St. John's backline put forth another stellar effort, allowing UMass just four shots on the afternoon. The Red Storm has held each of its three opponents to eight or less shots this season.

"I think we have improved as each game has gone on," said Head Coach Ian Stone. "I think the consistent thing is the group has stayed together and given each other a lot of energy. We have improved defensively as a group and I think we are prepared for BIG EAST play and look forward to that competition."

The Johnnies had the majority of the scoring chances in the opening half, outshooting UMass, 4-1, through the first 45 minutes of action. The Red Storm's lone look on goal in the first frame came in the 11th minute as Boyd fired one to the bottom left corner of the cage, but it was turned aside by the Minutewomen's goalkeeper.

In the latter session, the Red Storm fired off five shots, two of which were on goal. UMass took three in the second half, with two coming in the final five minutes.

The Johnnies will return to the pitch on Thursday evening, when they open up BIG EAST action against Villanova at Belson Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.