St. John's University Athletics
St. John's University
2-1-0, 0-0-0
Youngstown State
1-5-0, 0-0-0
Early Goals Power St. John’s Past Youngstown State, 2-1
8/31/2025 4:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Leana Ruiz and Madison Mariani recorded goals in the first 16 minutes of Sunday’s win
QUEENS, N.Y. – A pair of early goals powered the St. John's women's soccer team (2-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) past Youngstown State (1-5, 0-0 Horizon League) to earn its sixth-straight victory in its home opener on Sunday.
The Red Storm came out firing on all cylinders adding a pair of goals in the opening 15:05 and fended off a Penguins' comeback to win its second consecutive match.
Madison Mariani continued her hot start to the 2025 campaign with her second goal in as many games. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native struck just 1:24 into the match and holds the team lead with four points. The forward added a team-high three shots at Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium.
Leana Ruiz tallied her first collegiate goal netting the eventual game-winner in her first-ever start for the Johnnies. Mia Agresti recorded the assist on Ruiz's goal marking her first point since the season-opening win over FDU two years ago on Aug. 17, 2023.
Kayla Bower matched her personal best with five saves for the second consecutive contest. The senior is averaging 4.7 saves per contest and allowed just one goal off a penalty kick despite seeing 16 shot attempts from the visitors.
Just 1:24 into the match, Mariani collected a misfired pass by the Penguins' defense. The sophomore deked her way past the goalkeeper corralled the ball near the endline and positioned herself for a blast into an open net to jump in front in the second minute, 1-0.
The Red Storm remained on the attack in the early going. After the Johnnies intercepted another errant Youngstown State pass, Agresti fed a pass into the box to Ruiz. The freshman fired a strike past the goalkeeper winning the one-on-one by finding space on the outside of the twine to double the lead, 2-0, in the 16th minute.
After St. John's recorded the first five shot attempts of the match, Youingstown State began to shift possession logging four shots in the first half.
In the final few minutes of the opening half, the Johnnies logged a pair of strkes from Emily Riggins and Molly McGlame that sailed just over the bar. The Red Storm went into the locker room a two-goal lead courtesy of the early tallies.
In the latter 45 minutes, Riggins generated the first opportunity launching a shot from over 20 yards out that flew just over the crossbar.
In the 62nd minute, after Bower made a pair of saves at the doorstep stopping multiple close range shots with a pile-up of players right in front of the goalmouth. After a video review, the officiating crew determined there was a foul and awarded the Penguins a penalty kick. As Camille Bultel converted from the spot to trim the deficit in half, 2-1, with 28:12 to play.
The Penguins continued to press offensively but the defensive-minded Red Storm were able to fend off the opportunities and hold on for its second-straight victory.
The Red Storm will be back in action at Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium on Thursday night when it welcomes Columbia for a 7 p.m. contest.
Team Stats
Madison Mariani (2)
GOAL by STJ Mariani, Madison.
01:24
Leana Ruiz (1)
Assisted By: Mia Agresti
GOAL by STJ Ruiz, Leana Assist by Agresti, Mia.
15:05
Camille Bultel (2)
YSU Camille Bultel PENALTY KICK GOAL.
61:48
