Oct. 22, 2004

Box Score

Newton, MA - The St. John's University women's soccer team could not overcome two first half goals by Boston College, as they fell to the Eagles, 3-1 tonight at the Newton Campus Soccer Complex. St. John's falls to 9-7-1 overall and 3-6-0 in the BIG EAST, while Boston College improves to 11-5-0 and 6-3-0 in the league.

St. John's came up with the two best attempts early in the game. Junior Holly Ryder's (Plantation, FL) shot from just outside the 18-yard box narrowly missed the right post in the sixth minute for the first opportunity. It wasn't until the 18th minute, when a shot off the crossbar by sophomore Erinn Flaherty (Clifton Park, NY) sailed back in play, that either team had a solid scoring chance.

Boston College however broke through for the game's first goal at 34:29 when a shot by Jenny Maurer sailed over St. John's keeper Jaime Beran's (Tuscan, AZ) head. After a defensive battle just outside the 18-yard box, Maurer settled the ball and hooked it over Beran's head for the goal. The Eagles added to their lead just over five minutes later, when Laina Ceddia sent a cross from the left endline to Nicole Reyes, who was wide open in front of the net for the 2-0 lead.

St. John's cut into the deficit with their first goal of the game at 42:32. Ryder's original shot from above the 18-yard box hit the left post and bounced across the goal to an open Laura Burlacu (Flushing, NY). Burlacu drove the ball off Kate Taylor, the Eagle keeper, into the back off the net for her third goal of the season.

In the early minutes of the second half, Boston College put together another scoring push, but a shot by Tara Luciani was saved by Beran and an attempt by Jenny Maurer sailed just high. St. John's had their best chance to tie the game with just 30 minutes remaining in regulation as Ryder's header sailed just wide, after accepting a direct kick from Andrea Coukoulis (Scarsdale, AZ).

Both teams battled the remainder of the second half, however, Boston College would add an insurance goal with just under two minutes remaining in the half for the 3-1 final. Kia McNeill took the ball out of the right corner and dribbled through the Red Storm defense to the goal, blasting a shot past Beran for the final cushion.

Beran had six saves in the net for the Red Storm, while Kate Taylor saved three for the victory. Boston College held the edge in shots, 17-9 and corner kicks, 10-0.

The Red Storm return to the field for their BIG EAST finale on Sunday, when they take on Providence at 1 pm.