JERSEY CITY, NJ–The Saint Peter's women's soccer team (5-9-3, 2-8-1) returns home for its final match of the season, hosting Sacred Heart on Wednesday, October 29, at Jaroschak Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
In their final road contest, the Peacocks fell 5-1 to Canisius but still found bright spots throughout the match.
Joana Dias netted her fifth goal of the season, a new career high, and now leads the team with 13 points in conference play.
Stella Accettola added her fourth assist of the season, also a team best.
Saint Peter's created several strong chances throughout the match. Early in the game,
Mayla McLean sent a cross that set up Dias and
Allyssia Merisier, and a late first-half header from
Wilma Thodhlana off a Accettola free kick that missed just wide. The Peacocks continued to press in the second half, with a give-and-go between Dias and McLean that led to a powerful strike and rebound attempt by
Devin Reeves that was called back for offside.
Currently, McLean leads the squad with 15 shots on frame for an impressive .556 shots-on-goal percentage, while
Bergljot Kristinsdottir ranks third in the MAAC in saves per game (4.94) and holds a .681 save percentage this season.
ABOUT THE PIONEERS
Sacred Heart (9-7-1, 7-4) has clinched a postseason berth and enters its final regular-season match coming off a 2-1 victory over Yale. The Pioneers are 4-2 in MAAC play during October and opened the month with a four-match win streak before dropping back-to-back contests to Iona (1-0) and Quinnipiac (2-1).
SHU has limited opponents to just 1.06 goals per game, while goalkeeper Kyran Thievon owns a 0.90 goals-against average, a .840 save percentage, six shutouts, and 4.0 saves per game–ranking fourth, second, third, and sixth in the MAAC, respectively.
Offensively, the upperclass duo of Morgan Bovardi and Shea Kelleher lead the attack. Bovardi is having a career season with 10 goals and two assists, ranking second in the MAAC in goals and third in points (22). Kelleher has recorded eight goals and four assists for an impressive 20 points, ranking fourth in shots (3.24), third in shots on goal (1.71), and tied for fourth in goals.
Junior Lindsay McShea has also been a key playmaker, registering a career-high eight assists–fourth-best in the conference.
Leading the Pioneers in his eighth season is Matt Micros.
ALL TIME RECORD
Saint Peter's is 1-7 against Sacred Heart. The Pioneers have won the last two of three matchups (1-1, 4-0, 1-0). The Peacocks' most recent result was a 1-1 draw last season, with
Macey Williams providing the tally.
AROUND THE MAAC
Fairfield (14-1-2, 9-0-2) has officially clinched the regular season title, riding a six-match win streak. Quinnipiac (7-3-5, 7-0-4) sits second with a three-game winning streak, followed by Sacred Heart in third. Both squads have clinched postseason spots. Marist (6-6-5, 5-1-5) is in fourth, with Canisius (6-8-1, 6-4-1) and Manhattan (7-5-5, 6-4-1) rounding out the top six.
For continuing coverage of Saint Peter's University Athletics, visit SaintPetersPeacocks.com and follow the Peacocks on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
