Marist women’s soccer (3-8-2, 3-4-1 MAAC Conference) bounced back with one of their best offensive performances of the year, defeating Niagara (5-6-2, 1-5-2 MAAC) 2-0.
Graduate student forward Sofia Cassano and junior forward Anna Maggi gave Marist its two goals in the contest. The Red Foxes totaled a season high 17 shots to Niagara’s 10, to go along with eight shots on net and nine corner kicks.
Marist came out of the gates hot as junior midfielder/forward Jillian Garcia sent a high arching cross over the head of senior goalkeeper Maddie Crosbie, falling right into the lap of Cassano, which she put away to give the Red Foxes an early 1-0 lead in the first minute of action.
“We talked about it before the game that we just needed to put a stamp on this game,” Cassano said. “I feel like the energy we came out with just displayed right there in that play.”
Niagara created their first real threat at the 18th minute, as graduate student midfielder/forward Emma Bough had an opportunity to deliver an open shot on net. Junior goalkeeper Maddy Catalanotti stepped up quickly to block the first shot attempt however, with the ball trickling back towards Bough. Bough attempted to send a cross in but Catalanotti got a hand on that one as well, sending it out of bounds and holding the Red Foxes 1-0 lead.
Another first half goal for Marist seemed definite at the 30th minute as Garcia put a header on net off a corner kick, but Crosbie was able to make an all-out diving save to deflect it out of bounds. The Red Foxes were awarded with another corner kick following the save but Niagara shut that one down, ending the opportunity for Marist.
The Red Foxes found another chance in the 39th minute off a corner kick with sophomore forward Delia Hahn putting a high shot on net, but Crosbie leaped up and flipped it over the crossbar to make the save. Garcia was able to deliver another shot on the proceeding corner kick. Still, it missed high as Crosbie was able to end another Marist threat.
Niagara found one of their best chances of the match in the 42nd minute, with freshman forward Soraya Ross finding herself with the ball inside the 18 and Catalanotti the only one in her way. However, Ross missed the shot wide left of the net, missing an opportunity to tie the game for the Purple Eagles and eventually wrapping up the first half.
The Red Foxes showed the ability to control the ball for most of the first frame, leading in shots 10 to two, shots on net five to one and corner kicks six to one up to that point.
“Our possession was great,” said head coach Nicole Pacapelli. “I definitely think at least for the first 45 minutes of the game was the best possession we played all season. We want to be a possession oriented team and we really executed that well today.”
Back-and-forth action opened up the second half with Niagara applying a bit more pressure than they did in the first frame, with senior midfielder Maia MacLean getting a good shot on net in the 58th minute off a free kick. Still, Catalanotti jumped up to make the save.
The Red Foxes had one of their best opportunities of the second half in the 66th minute as Maggi was able to deflect a clearance towards Niagara’s net. Senior forward Lauryn Schmidt had just daylight and Crosbie in her way but delivered a shot right at Crosbie, who made the save and deflected it away.
Less than a minute later, Maggi and Schmidt looked to pounce again, this time succeeding. Schmidt sent a through ball to Maggi inside the 18, and Maggi could sneak a shot under Crosbie’s diving try, extending the Marist lead to 2-0. Maggi had just checked in at the 60th minute, quickly being a part of Marists’ two best chances of the match.
“Overall it takes all of us,” Maggi said. “You just truly have to stay locked in and always fulfill your role whether that’s on the field or off.”
The goal by Maggi allowed Marist to cruise their way into victory. The Red Foxes were just one spot ahead of Niagara in the MAAC standings heading into the match, with the win giving them some breathing room between the Purple Eagles.
“Huge win,” said Pacapelli. “We talked about that from the separation standpoint of looking at this week and getting six points out of it.”
Pacapelli and the rest of the Marist team will look to fulfill that six-point quest in a key match against Iona, as they will travel to New Rochelle, New York, on Saturday at noon.
Edited by Jaylen Rizzo
Photo by Kira Crutcher
Graphic by Jaylen Rizzo
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