Women’s Soccer Begins 2016 Season with Loss to NYU

Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information) 

Patchogue, NY|  The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) women's soccer team (0-1) suffered a 3-0 loss at the hands of New York University (1-0) in what was the side's first match of the 2016 season on Thursday night at Danzi Stadium.

The game featured a very different lineup for the Golden Eagles as eight freshmen were among the starting 11, while three others came off the bench in the first half. Among those who donned the Blue and Gold for the first time was goalkeeper Samantha Wedderburn.

The Violets controlled possession through a fairly uneventful opening 10 minutes of action. NYU then collected eight shots and five corners between the 11th and 21st minute, Wedderburn was forced into making five saves during that time period. The Violets continued to put the freshman goalkeeper to the test, parrying four shots before finally breaking through for the game's first goal in the 45th minute. A late foul by the host would set up Lexi Clarke for the free kick who curled in the ball into the back of the net.

Outshot 15-0 in the first half, the Golden Eagles entered halftime down 1-0, but failed to turn the tide in the second half.  NYU's lead doubled when Clarke created a set-piece ball from the corner into the box for a streaking Marquel Love, who headed the ball past Wedderburn in the 72nd minute. Love would notch the game's last tally with her second goal of the game with a through ball by Teressa Fazio for the breakaway goal to ensure the 3-0 victory for the guests.

Wedderburn finished with 10 saves in her collegiate debut that saw her side out-shot 27-1. Despite being out-possessed and out-shot, the Golden Eagle backline did well to keep enemy attackers to the outside and turn chances away.