Madison Mariani scores first collegiate goal as Red Storm extends winning streak over Hawks to seven games
Philadelphia, PA – St. John’s women’s soccer team bounced back from its season-opening defeat with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Saint Joseph’s at Sweeney Field on Sunday afternoon. Madison Mariani’s first collegiate goal in the 66th minute proved decisive as the Red Storm improved to 1-1 on the season.
The Richmond Hill, Ontario native’s winner came from a brilliant individual effort. Mariani received a pass from Daniela Monzon on the counter-attack and used a clever cutback move inside the 18-yard box to create space before firing home with her left foot.
Defensive Battle Dominates First Half
The opening 45 minutes saw both teams struggle to create clear chances. Neither side managed a shot in the first 20 minutes as defenses held firm in the Philadelphia sunshine.
St. John’s center-back Telma Steindórsdóttir anchored the backline in her first appearance of 2025. The defender made several crucial stops to keep Saint Joseph’s at bay during their early pressure.
Mariani provided the Red Storm’s first real threat in the 28th minute. The sophomore received a throw-in under pressure from two Hawks defenders, turned skillfully, and fired a shot toward the left side of the net. Saint Joseph’s goalkeeper Ali Popham made a comfortable save to keep the score level.
Saint Joseph’s nearly broke the deadlock in the final minutes of the half. They earned a dangerous free kick in the attacking third, but Kayla Bower came off her line to deflect the ball away from danger. The teams went to halftime locked at 0-0.
Second Half Brings Drama
The second half opened with Saint Joseph’s earning their first corner kick of the match. The delivery drifted dangerously toward the goal line, but Bower showed excellent reflexes to bat the ball down before making a crucial save in the ensuing scramble.
St. John’s created their best chance of the match in the 53rd minute. Emily Riggins broke forward on the counter-attack before finding Molly McGlame wide. The senior winger delivered a perfect cross into the six-yard box, but Popham managed to punch it clear. The rebound fell to Maya Terwilliger, whose follow-up effort sailed over the crossbar.
Mariani Provides the Magic Moment
The breakthrough finally came in the 66th minute through a moment of individual brilliance. Monzon found Mariani with a pass out wide, and the sophomore did the rest. She darted toward goal, used a separating cutback to evade her defender, and curled a left-footed strike into the right side of the net.
The goal sparked Saint Joseph’s into action as they pushed desperately for an equalizer. The Hawks peppered the St. John’s goal with shots in the final 24 minutes, but Bower stood firm between the posts.
Bower Delivers Career Performance
Senior goalkeeper Bower was the star of the show for St. John’s, making five saves to earn her first career solo shutout. The Lincoln Park, N.J. native matched her career-high save total while showing excellent positioning and shot-stopping ability throughout the contest.
Her most important intervention came in the 85th minute when Saint Joseph’s threatened with a dangerous cross. Leah Anand won a crucial defensive challenge to clear the danger and preserve the narrow lead.
Statistical Story
Saint Joseph’s dominated the shot count 17-5 and held 63% possession, but St. John’s proved more clinical with their limited chances. The Red Storm managed three shots on target from their five attempts, while the Hawks could only test Bower five times despite their territorial advantage.
Both teams committed similar foul totals – Saint Joseph’s 12, St. John’s 9 – in what was a physical but fair contest. The Red Storm were caught offside five times compared to the Hawks’ two infractions.
Building Momentum
The victory extends St. John’s winning streak over Saint Joseph’s to seven consecutive games and provides crucial momentum heading into their home opener. The Red Storm showed improved defensive organization and clinical finishing compared to their season-opening defeat to UMass.
Saint Joseph’s drops to 0-3-0 on the season and will need to find more cutting edge in the final third despite creating numerous opportunities.
St. John’s returns home to face Youngstown State on August 31 at 1 p.m. at Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium. The Red Storm will look to build on this road victory as they prepare for Big East Conference play.
Match Details: Attendance 194 at Sweeney Field, Philadelphia, PA
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