Scoma & St. Johns Beats Creighton Late

St John’s entered the match against Creighton coming off a win against Villanova where the team secured its first Big East Conference victory. The Johnnies won the match 2 – 0 and Maria O’Sullivan got the clean sheet, it was also Ava Collin’s first game back following her absence due to a concussion. The Johnnies entered the season predicted to be the third seed in the conference. Despite the prediction, they started the conference off 0-3-0 with losses to Georgetown, Connecticut, and Seton Hall.

Following the Seton Hall defeat the team had a meeting and that was when the tide turned. Villanova was the first to feel the wrath of the Johnnies. Creighton who is struggling big time (2-7-4, 0-4-0) is now on the table for the Johnnies.

The Johnnies didn’t waste time getting on the board, Ava Collins started the scoring early getting on the board 22′ into the match off an assist from Jailene DeJesus (who has started coming alive as of late in conference play), and Isabelle Aviza.

Athina Sofroniou joined the scoring netting her second of the season in the 32′ of the first half, off a long-distance free kick from goal. During a lapse in concentration by the Johnnies inside the box, with five minutes to play in the opening half, a handball inside the 18 gave Creighton a penalty kick opportunity. O’Sullivan made the initial stop, her second penalty save of the season, but the rebound was there for the taking as Anja Jestrovic buried it to trim the Johnnies lead, 2-1.

The half would end with the Johnnies holding on to a narrow lead against a hungry Creighton team seeking their first Big East win. They’re one of two teams without a conference win this year.

The second half started off with Lauryn Tran missing a golden chance to increase their lead, unfortunately after the cutback move on the Creighton defender Tran lost her traction as well and sent the ball off frame.

Creighton just 19′ into the second half and 64′ of the match Tilly Thomas converted a rebound opportunity off an O’Sullivan save that hit the crossbar and stayed in play, Tilly knocked home the rebound and the match was tied up at 2 – 2.

Maria would keep the scoring in check for Creighton recording seven saves including a huge one late to give her team the chance to win the match just minutes later when Angelina Scoma headed home the game winner in the 88′ off a beautiful cross into the box by Lauryn Tran.

The win knocks Creighton to 0 – 5 – 0 in the conference and St John’s improves to (2 – 3 – 0, 6 pts). The win moves SJU into a tie for 6th place and they will head back home to face longtime rival Providence College (2 – 0 – 2, 8 pts). With a win over Providence, the Johnnie’s would move into a tie for second place with Xavier.