The St. John’s women’s soccer team etched its name in the program record books yet again this weekend. St. John’s (14-2-1, 6-1-1 Big East) tied a program record for the most wins in a single season with a 2-1 victory over Villanova (1-16, 0-8 Big East) on Sunday night.
The last time coach Ian Stone and his team recorded 14 wins in a single season was in Stone’s first year with the Red Storm in 1994. The ‘94 team earned St. John’s first-ever Big East Championship.
“There is a tremendous amount of talent in this squad and we have so much depth,” said coach Stone. “There are other people now who are making valuable contributions, like Emily Cubbage. When people on this team get the opportunity, they step up and find a way to get it done.”
Seniors Rachel Daly and Emily Cubbage recorded the goals for St. John’s in the win. Daly’s goal marked her 18th of the season, placing her for first in the BIig East and second in the NCAA. The goal was also the 49th of her career, putting her just one goal away from becoming only the second player in the history of St. John’s soccer, men’s or women’s, to record 50 goals.
Cubbage netted her third goal of the season against the Wildcats, tying her career-high for goals in a campaign.
Senior Georgia Kearney-Perry and freshman Anna Maria Baldursdottir picked up assists for the Red Storm.
St. John’s was first to score in the game, as Daly notched her 18th goal of the season in just the third minute. Less than 10 minutes later, Cubbage scored to make it 2-0 in favor of the Red Storm.
At the half, St. John’s held a 13-3 advantage on shots, including a 5-1 lead in shots on target.
Villanova narrowed the deficit early in the second half, as a 54th minute own-goal made it 2-1 in favor of St. John’s.
The Red Storm defense would not allow the Wildcats to score the tying goal and hold on for the 2-1 victory.
By the time the final horn sounded, the Red Storm had registered a 24-5 advantage in shots and a 10-2 differential in attempts on target.
St. John’s will close out the regular season on Friday, traveling to Providence for a 7 p.m. match against the Friars.
The matchup with Providence is of utmost importance for St. John’s. If they are able to defeat the Friars, they will secure the number one seed in the Big East Tournament and win the Big East regular season title for the first time in program history.
