FLUSHING, N.Y. – Returning to Knights Field to open a two-match homestand, the regionally ranked No. 9 Queens College women's soccer team welcomed regionally ranked No. 7 Pace University in a Top-10 regional showdown Wednesday evening.
Trailing 2-0 after the 58th minute, the Knights mounted a second-half comeback behind goals from seniors
Ashley Kieblesz and
Ava Lekanides. However, Pace held off the rally to secure a 3-2 victory.
Queens moves to 3-2 on the season.
MATCH RECAP
The first half featured seven combined shots as both teams looked to create separation.
The Knights looked to strike first, with Lekanides sending a shot wide in the second minute before senior
Kayla Camacho's attempt was saved by the Pace goalkeeper in the third minute.
Pace took control of the midfield, with its first shot of the contest sailing over the crossbar in the eighth minute.
Following a Setters corner kick, senior goalkeeper
Samantha Hines-Hirsch recorded her first save of the contest in the 20th minute.
Moments later, after Pace's third shot of the contest sailed wide left, the Setters found the back of the net in the 20th minute to take a 1-0 lead.
Queens nearly leveled the contest in the 38th minute, but senior
Jenna Rosenberger's shot on target was saved as the Knights entered halftime trailing, 1-0.
The Knights looked to pick up the pace early in the second half, with rookie
Mia Hanson's shot on target in the 49th minute denied by the Pace goalkeeper.
Pace doubled its advantage in the 58th minute, taking a 2-0 lead.
Looking to mount a comeback, sophomore
Ana Impellizzeri's shot was blocked in the 67th minute. Kieblesz collected the rebound and fired it home to bring the Knights within one, 2-1.
Just 36 seconds later, Kieblesz nearly tied the contest, but her shot in the 68th minute was denied by the Setters goalkeeper and before her shot in the 68
th minute deflected off the left post.
Pace responded on the counterattack in the 69th minute, restoring its two-goal advantage at 3-1.
Refusing to quit, the Knights continued to push forward. Impellizzeri's shot in the 71st minute was saved as Queens looked to cut into the deficit again.
In the 75th minute, Queens earned a free kick, with senior
Ava Angiuli connecting with sophomore
Grace Kinney inside the box. Lekanides finished the chance to bring the Knights within one, 3-2.
With Queens continuing to maintain the pressure, Kinney nearly tied the contest in the 80th minute, but her shot sailed just over the crossbar.
The Knights continued to pressure the Setters and recorded two more shots in the final five minutes while searching for a thrilling 3-3 equalizer. However, junior
Morgan Khadra's shot in the 86th minute and Lekanides' attempt in the 88th minute were both denied by the Pace goalkeeper as the Setters held on for the 3-2 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Queens outshot Pace, 16-11, and held a 10-5 advantage in shots on goal.
- The trio of Kieblesz, Lekanides and Impellizzeri combined for 10 shots and six shots on goal.
- Kieblesz scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season and extended her team-best point total to 12.
- Lekanides recorded her second goal of the season.
- Impellizzeri, Angiuli and Kinney each recorded their first assist of the season.
- Hines-Hirsch recorded two saves.
NEXT MATCH
Queens wraps up its homestand Saturday, Sept. 12, welcoming Dominican University of New York Chargers to Knights Field. Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m.
For the latest news on Queens College Athletics, follow the Knights at queensknights.com or via social media on Facebook (Queens College Athletics), X (Formerly Twitter) (@QCKnights), Instagram (qcknightsny), women's soccer (qcwsoccer)
