The Marist women’s soccer team traveled to Niagara University, continuing its winning streak in the MAAC by defeating the Purple Eagles 3-1.
Sophomore forward Gabby Tirado scored twice in the Red Foxes’ win. The captain sits in the top 10 in goals, shots, shots on goal, assists and points in the MAAC. Last season, Tirado started in 16 games as a freshman; she recorded two assists and could not find the back of the net in her first year in Poughkeepsie.
Marist ended the 2024 season with nine goals scored. Transitioning to this season, 11 games in, the Red Foxes already have a total of 16 goals scored. As only a sophomore, Tirado leads the Marist offense with six goals and four assists.
Senior goalie Maddy Catalanotti finished with four saves, organizing a backline that shut down the Purple Eagle offense.
The Red Foxes finished last in the MAAC in 2024 with shots taken. This season, Marist sits in the top three of shots taken with 127 shots, 40 shots shy of their 2024 season total.
Junior Niagara back Baillie Colling put the first score on the board in the 26th minute, and within the same minute, Tirado answered back for Marist.
On a routine pass back to senior goalie Kelsey Riordan, Tirado intercepted the ball, catching Riordan off her line in the middle of the box and tying the game at one with the Red Foxes’ first shot on goal.
Five minutes later, in the 31st minute, Tirado stole another ball and made a break down the sideline. Tirado crossed the ball looking for senior forward Jillian Garcia, but defender Angelina Kristic broke up the pass and attempted to clear the ball out. Senior midfield Olivia Lindsay stepped up, finding the ball before a Purple Eagle, drilling the ball into the top of the net just inside the far post.
On the defensive end, Marist was without senior captain Julia Loncar in the second half after an injury in the last five minutes of play in the first. Despite being down the star center back, the Marist defense held Niagara to four shots on goal, with no goals in the second half.
Tirado secured the Red Foxes’ third consecutive win in the 67th minute with a deep strike from 10 yards outside the box, sending the ball over Riordan’s head into the top of the net.
With the win, Marist improved to 4-5-2 and 3-0-2 in MAAC play, placing them in second in the MAAC behind the undefeated Canisius Golden Griffins.
Marist looks to push its winning streak to four on Wednesday in Connecticut against the reigning MAAC champions, Fairfield. The Stags sit 7-1-1 overall and 2-0-1 in MAAC play.
Edited by Ben Leeds
Graphic by Cara Lacey
Photo by Quinn DiFiore
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