Steindórsdóttir’s Dramatic Penalty Kick Rescues Point for Red Storm
QUEENS, N.Y. — In a thrilling Big East Conference home opener that showcased both resilience and determination, St. John’s women’s soccer team (2-4-3, 0-1-1 Big East) salvaged a crucial 1-1 draw against Providence College (3-2-2, 0-0-1 Big East) on Wednesday night at Cox Family Field at Belson Stadium.
Last-Gasp Heroics
The defining moment came with just 0.9 seconds remaining in the first half when sophomore defender Telma Steindórsdóttir stepped up to convert a penalty kick, recording her first career goal and delivering the Red Storm’s first successful penalty conversion of the season. The dramatic equalizer came after Janelle Sylvestre’s cross deflected off a Providence defender’s hand in the box.
Bower’s Stellar Performance
Senior goalkeeper Kayla Bower was instrumental in securing the point, matching her career-high with six saves throughout the match. Her performance drew high praise from the coaching staff.
“She (Kayla Bower) has been amazing for us all season,” said the head coach. “I’m really proud of how she is maturing into one of the elite goalkeepers in the Big East. Due to her phenomenal attitude and work ethic, her ceiling is exceptionally high.”
Red Storm News:
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Early Opportunities and Providence’s Response
St. John’s created the match’s first significant opportunity in the opening five minutes when Daniela Monzon broke through for a one-on-one with Providence goalkeeper Ellie Thallman, but the junior’s effort was denied.
Providence took the lead in the 17th minute through Thaea Mouratidis, who found the net with a well-struck long-range effort that beat Bower.
Team Resilience Shines Through
Despite falling behind, the Red Storm showed character that impressed their coaching staff.
“Our team battled and competed hard tonight,” the coach noted. “We are learning valuable lessons as we are going along. Our young players are growing up very quickly.”
Second Half Defensive Stand
The second half saw Bower continue her heroics, making four additional saves to preserve the draw. Her diving stop early in the second half, coming out of her area to deny a close-range strike, exemplified her commanding performance.
Statistical Breakdown
- Shots: Providence 13, St. John’s 4
- Shots on Goal: Providence 7, St. John’s 2
- Saves: Bower (SJU) 6, Thallman (PRO) 1
- Corner Kicks: Providence 6, St. John’s 2
- Attendance: 286
Tactical Flexibility on Display
The match showcased St. John’s improved squad depth, with multiple substitutions throughout both halves demonstrating the team’s tactical versatility.
“Due to the great depth and positional versatility we have now, we were able to rotate players quite freely,” the coach explained. “Therefore, we will be prepared physically to cope with the demands of Wednesday/Saturday Big East Conference play.”
Looking Ahead: Seton Hall Derby
The Red Storm will look to build on this performance when they travel to face Seton Hall on Saturday at 1 p.m. in South Orange, N.J.
“I’m looking forward to our Big East equivalent of a local derby,” the coach said with anticipation.
Key Performers
- Telma Steindórsdóttir: First career goal via penalty kick
- Kayla Bower: Career-high-tying 6 saves
- Daniela Monzon: Early scoring opportunity, strong midfield presence
- Janelle Sylvestre: Key assist on penalty-winning play
Match Officials
Referee: Nickrod Fateh
Assistant Referees: Stephen Cope, Ignacio Guzman
Alternate Official: Sean Lyons
What’s Next
St. John’s will aim to carry this momentum into their Big East road test against Seton Hall, where they’ll look to secure their first conference victory of the season.
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