St. John’s Triumphs Over Navy, 2-0

Friday, September 2

QUEENS, N.Y. (BELSON STADIUM)

8 P.M.

St. John's University

2-1-2, 0-0-0

Navy

2-2-2, 0-0-0

Navy

St. John's (NY)

Melina Couzis scores her first goal as a Johnnie

9/2/2022 10:53:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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Gina Muzi records first shutout of the season in win over Mids

By: Christina Anderson

QUEENS – The St. John's women's soccer team topped Navy in a 2-0 shutout victory at Belson Stadium on Friday night.

Melina Couzis scored her first goal since the 2021 spring season in clinical fashion as she fired in, a long ball from 30 yards out over the head of the goaltender in the 15th minute. The tally was the third of her career and her first as a Johnnie. Michelle Money converted a penalty attempt in the 73^rd minute to seal the home victory. The goal marked her first of the season and the second of her career in the Red and White.

Gina Muzi improved to 2-1-1 in the net for the Johnnies as the Red Storm goalkeeper made two saves during the shutout victory. Mattie Gallagher picked up the loss for the Mids (2-2-2) as she logged six saves and allowed two goals.

Navy charged the Red Storm defense early, posting a pair of shots in the first 10 minutes. However, it was St. John's that got on the board first in the 16^th minute thanks to a goal by Couzis. After intercepting a pass by the Mids, the Baldwin Place, N.Y., native blasted a high ball to the left corner of the net for the first tally of the match.

Following the score, St. John's held all the momentum with Ava Collins, Isabelle Aviza and Kayla Mesaros each recording shots on target. Brooke Boyd sent a header wide right for the final shot of the half, but the Red Storm maintained the 1-0 edge at the break.

Coming out of the locker room, Couzis looked for her second goal of the game when she made a play in the 49^th minute, but the shot was turned aside by a diving Gallagher. Nicole Gordon went on the attack in the with shots a pair of shots in the 64^th and 69^th minute, respectively. However, Gordon could not convert on her attempts, leaving the Red and White ahead by just a score.

In the 73^rd minute, Gordon was taken down in the box, leading to a penalty attempt for the Johnnies. Money took the kick for the Red Storm, powering a shot to the top right corner and into the back of the net for the second goal of the game.

Following the tally, St. John's allowed just one shot by the Mids, with Muzi leaping into the air to make the miraculous save in the 88^th minute. The effort was enough to keep Navy off the board for the Red Storm's first shutout victory of the year.

The Red Storm remains at Belson Stadium on Monday for a Labor Day matinee against Central Connecticut State. Kick-off is slated for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on FloSports.