Through 10 games this season, the women’s soccer team has scored just six goals.
Against Big East rival Providence, the Red Storm were only able to produce four shots on goal, resulting in a 1-0 loss to the Friars at Belson Stadium Sunday.
“I felt that the Providence game highlighted our inexperience as a team,” said Coach Ian Stone. “After a huge road win at UConn, Providence came into Belson and showed more desire to win than we did. This inconsistency is what is hurting us right now.”
St. John’s (4-5-1, 1-2-0) was playing without one of their starting defenders, Megan Klement. The junior suffered a minor injury
during the Red Storm’s 2-1 road win over Connecticut on September 23.
Junior goalkeeper Kristin Russell made four saves while Providence goalie junior Caitlin Walker kept the Friars in the game by making four saves.
Providence (7-2-1, 1-1-1) got on the scoreboard at the 21:30 mark in the first half, when graduate student Jill Camburn out-muscled her way past defenders Patrice Casmir and Michelle Iannacchino to send a shot bouncing past Russell.
Redshirt senior Nicole Pasciolla fired at the 21:11 mark with a hard lefty shot that Walker had to make a diving save to keep the Friars’ lead alive.
The Red Storm came out energized in the second half, pressuring the Friars defense early.
Senior midfielder Anna Torregiano played a great through ball to junior forward Jen Leaverton, who nearly tied the score up but was whistled for being offside. Minutes later, sophomore Runa Stefansdottir challenged the Providence defense minutes later when she sent a strong cross from the left side to freshman forward Francisca Okoko that Walker saved.
The Red Storm kept the ball on their offensive side of the field for a majority of the second half but was unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Senior Raelynne Lee nearly tied the game up at the 17:21 mark when she faked out a defender and sent a low hard shot that a Providence defender deflected out of the net.
The Red Storm had their last offensive opportunity when freshman forward Amy Marron was knocked down just outside the penalty box at the 5:32 mark. Freshman Michelle Murino took a low hard shot off the free kick that a Providence defender deflected out of the net.
“To be honest, with 18 [sic] new players added to our roster this year, this was always going to be a process. I feel we are ahead of the game right now, due to the effort and hard work the girls put in on a daily basis,” said Stone.
“One thing our team needs to come to terms with is that there are no easy games in Big East conference women’s Soccer. That is why it is one of the best conferences in the country.”
