The St. Thomas Aquinas College Women's Soccer team takes the #6 seed into Thursday's East Coast Conference Championship Tournament, visiting #3 Queens College in First Round action at the QC Varsity Soccer Field in Flushing, New York, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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How They Got Here - The Spartans wrapped up the regular season with an overall record of 3-9-3 and a 2-4-1 conference mark. STAC secured the program's first-ever bid in the ECC Women's Soccer Tournament with key victories over D'Youville University (4-1) and Roberts Wesleyan University (2-1), while also forcing a draw with the College of Staten Island (2-2).
Queens (9-6-1, 4-3-0 ECC) opened the 2024 season going 4-4 over its first eight games, but then posted a 5-2-1 record in their final eight matches to secure the #3 spot in the postseason. The Knights earned important victories over D'Youville University (2-0), the College of Staten Island (4-2), Mercy University (2-0) and STAC (2-0)
The Match-Up - In the lone meeting of the season to date, Queens took a 2-0 decision over St. Thomas Aquinas on October 27 (recap, boxscore, video) at Spartan Field in Sparkill. The conference affair featured goals by Ashley Kieblesz and Julia Ragone for the Knights, with Samantha Hines-Hirsch earning her eighth win in 14 tries by turning away all seven shots sent her way by Spartans. Queens outshot St. Thomas Aquinas 16-12 and 11-7 on goal on the afternoon, with Amalie Steen leading the maroon and gold with three shots taken, two of which made it on frame. Queens earned a slim 5-4 corner kicks advantage over STAC for the match.
- 12th Minute - A through ball to a waiting Jenna Rosenberger, who broke in and fired a shot on goal, was initially stopped by keeper Catalena Robson. However, Robson was unable to corral the rebound and it was put home by teammate Ashley Kieblesz to make it 1-0 Queens.
- 21st Minute - The Knights doubled their lead at 2-0 when a free kick found the heads of several Knights and then the foot of Julia Ragone who danced around several defenders and sent a high shot over the head of Robson at the left post.
Players to Watch - The Spartans were led offensively by All-Conference selections Amalie Steen (7 goals, 14 points), Kaitlyn Maguire (2 goals, 2 assists, 6 points) and Ninni Ringstad (2 goals, 1 assist, 5 points). Sarai Rodriguez (1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points) and Sophie Stanley (1 goal, 2 assists, 4 points) also play important roles in helping to generate scoring opportunities for the maroon and gold. In goal Catalena Robson went 2-7-3 in 13 games played (12 starts), with a 2.79 goals against average and a .648 save percentage.
For Queens, six All-Conference players bolster a very deep roster; including leading scorer Julia Ragone (9 goals, 1 assist, 19 points), Adriana Melgar (1 goal, 3 assists, 5 points), Erica Petrie (1 goal, 3 assists, 5 points), Gabrielle Ciambella (1 goal, 1 assist, 3 points), Sarah Anderson (1 assist, 1 point) and Samantha Hines Hirsch (16 GP/GS, 9-6-1, 1.32 GAA & .775 SV%). Teammates Jenna Rosenberger (2 goals, 3 assists, 7 points), Anna Tavantzis (2 goals, 3 assists, 7 points) and Ashley Kieblesz (3 goals, 6 points) round out a very dangerous and skilled Knights squad.
What's Next? - Thursday's other First Round contest sees #4 seeded Mercy University (9-7-2, 4-3-0 ECC) hosting #5 Roberts Wesleyan University (5-9-1, 3-4-0 ECC) in a 1pm start in Dobbs Ferry. The winners of those matches will advance to the Tournament Semifinals on Sunday, November 10. STAC/QC vs. #2 Daemen University and RWU/MER vs. #1 Molloy.
Live Video/Stats - The First Round matchup between the Spartans and Knights will be broadcast LIVE via the ECC Network. Real-time Statistics will also be available at STACAthletics.com.
TICKET INFORMATION
*ALL SPECTATORS MUST HAVE A TICKET TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE QC VARSITY SOCCER FIELD*
$10 - General Admission
$5 - Students with ID, Senior Citizens, Children Ages 5-12
Children under 5 free for all games
* Tickets must be purchased at the link above. Cash will not be accepted so walkup tickets at the venue must be purchased through the ECC website (QR code will be available at the gate).
EAST COAST CONFERENCE WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
First Round - Thursday, November 7
1:00 PM – No. 5 Roberts Wesleyan at No. 4 Mercy (at Dobbs Ferry, NY)
7:00 PM – No. 6 St. Thomas Aquinas at No. 3 Queens (at Flushing, NY)
Semifinals - Sunday, November 10
11:00 AM – Winner STAC/QC at No. 2 Daemen (at Amherst, NY)
12:00 PM – Winner RWU/MER at No. 1 Molloy (at Rockville Centre, NY)
Final - Saturday, November 16 (at Highest Remaining Seed)
Semifinal winners