Salem, WVa. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Soccer team closed out its 2022 road campaign, blanking Salem University 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon at Catalano Stadium.

STAC improves to 4-10-3 on the season, while Salem drops to 3-8-3.

How it Happened

• In the 25th minute, the visiting Spartans opened the scoring as Megan Murphy found Sarai Rodriguez at the front of the net for her first of two goals in the match. Rodriguez sent a shot on frame, which was partially deflected but trickled past Salem keeper Alexandra Issard to make it 1-0.
• No further scoring would take place before halftime with STAC holding a 5-1 shots advantage in the stanza and earned a 2-1 margin in corner kicks.
• Once the teams returned from the break, the action would be largely quiet, as neither side would capitalize on a quality scoring chance. It wouldn't be until the 82nd minute before another goal would come, and it would be St. Thomas Aquinas picking up an insurance marker courtesy of Sarai Rodriguez. Off of a goal kick by Salem, the ball would be turned over and Natalie Oden would send a feed to Rodriguez, who would head the ball past Tigers backup netminder Chloe Owens to extend the lead to 2-0.
• STAC keepers Alessandra Santoriello and Colleen Stevens combined to earn a clean sheet on the afternoon.

Inside the Box Score

• Sarai Rodriguez now leads her team in scoring with seven goals and two assists for 16 points in 14 games played.
• STAC outshot Salem 6-3 and earned a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.
• Rodriguez (2), Natalie Oden (2), Ileana Santiago (1) and Colette Martucci (1) provided the scoring opportunites for the Spartans
• Alessandra Santoriello (2-5) got the start in net for the Spartans and made one stop to earn the victory. Colleen Stevens entered the contest for the final 45 minutes and stopped an additional two shots to share the shutout with Santoriello.

Up Next

STAC closes out its 2022 regular season schedule on Saturday, October 29, facing off with D'Youville University at 11:00 a.m. Senior day festivities will precede the match between the Spartans and Saints at Spartan Field.