Johnson Heads in Game-Winner as No. 13 Women's Soccer Defeats Philadelphia, 1-0
Box Score DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 22, 2014)- Junior Ashley Johnson (Phoenix, Ariz. / Paradise Valley CC) nailed a header in the 73rd minute, as the No. 13 Mercy College women's soccer team defeated the Rams of Philadelphia University, 1-0.
The Mavericks improve to a program record 14-1, while the Rams fall to 10-4-1.
Mercy welcomed the Central Athletic Collegiate Conference leading Rams to Dobbs Ferry for a non-conference showdown. A rainy and overcast sky set the stage for a preview of a possible NCAA tournament game in the future.
Mercy attacked the Philadelphia defense hard, as the Mavericks got off 10 shots in the first 20 minutes. Rams goalkeeper and current CACC Defensive Player of the Week Courtney Shaw played masterful for Philadelphia. Shaw stopped the Mavericks forwards time after time, to the tune of five saves in the first 20 minutes.
Shaw made a diving save on a shot attempt by senior Jessica Carrillo (San Diego, Calif. / Miramar College) in the 39th minute, which kept the game scoreless at halftime.
In the second half, the Mavericks persistences paid off as they found the back of net in the 73rd minute. Freshman Alyssa Iannuzzi (Massapequa Park, N.Y. / Massapequa) dribbled the ball and played a cross into the six yard box. Johnson and other members of the Mavericks were crowding just in front of the Rams goal. Johnson was positioned on the goal line, as she headed the ball in to give Mercy a 1-0 lead.
Philadelphia couldn't tie the game up and the Mavericks took the non-conference victory.
Junior Nicole Augustine (Kingston, N.Y. /Kingston) made two saves in 90 minutes of work and notched her eighth shutout of the season.
Mercy outshot the Rams 19-4, and dominated on corner kicks 11-2. Shaw made a staggering nine saves on 10 shots taken by the Mavericks.
Head Coach Jonathan Feinstein and the Mavericks will host the Pioneers of LIU Post University on Saturday Oct. 25th at 12:00 pm. The winner of Saturday's contest will capture the ECC regular season championship. Before the game, Coach Feinstein and his staff will honor seniors' Carrillo, Abby Zielinski (Lancaster, Pa. / George Mason Univ.), Danielle Deeb (San Diego, Calif. / Miramar College), Jenna Petel (Cypress, Calif. / Santiago Canyon College), and MacKenzie Cochrane (Mission Viejo, Calif./ Fresno State University).
