Nunez Goal Lifts Wagner Past Mountaineers
October 26, 2019
Emmitsburg, MD – The Wagner women's soccer team virtually played the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers to a stalemate before senior tri-captain, Maria Nunez, notched what turned out to be the deciding goal in the 87th minute as the Seahawks secured a 1-0 road triumph on Saturday evening.
"Tonight was full squad effort in picking up the victory," commented head coach Phil Casella. "I am proud of how the girls played and pleased with our overall execution of the game plan. The energy was there throughout the match and our fitness level was through the roof. We will enjoy the victory on the ride back but know we have to prepare for our final two matches in Fairleigh Dickinson and Merrimack."
The Seahawks seized much of the momentum in the second half of play, as the visitors recorded eight corner kicks in the second half.
Wagner was getting organized for the team's tenth corner kick chance of the evening in the 87'. Nunez was getting in position to send the ball off.
The East Greenwich, RI native was able to put enough on it that sailed over Mount's goalkeeper, Maggie Baron, head and into the left side of the net that sent the Seahawks into a frenzy while giving the team a late one-goal lead.
87' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Wagner 1, Mount St. Mary's 0
Senior tri-captain Maria Nunez scores her sixth goal of the season off Wagner's 10th corner kick of the evening. #NECWSOC | #JustGettingStarted pic.twitter.com/wO9pLpngfp— WagnerCollege Soccer (@WagWSoccer) October 27, 2019
The Mountaineers tested Wagner senior goalkeeper, Delaney Beck, who finished the match with four saves. Elisabeth Rockhill laced a shot that Beck was able to turn aside in the 11' and three minutes later, Rockhill's second attempt went wide of the target.
The Green & White responded with a pair of chances as Madison Starr first tested Barron in the 16' before Julia Fitzsimmons created a scoring attempt two minutes later, but faced a similar result from Barron.
Rockhill tried to get Mount St. Mary's on the board in the 20' but Beck was able to hold her ground and keep the match scoreless. On the ensuing Seahawk possession, Nunez needled her way through the Mountaineers defense and tested Barron, but was unsuccessful in the 23'.
Wagner concluded the first half with two chances, both by sophomore Luisa Barone, who tried her best against Barron but couldn't find the back of the net on those attempts.
The Seahawks held a 9-4 advantage on shot attempts at the half while Barron was credited with five saves.
Wagner controlled the tempo for a majority of the second half, as the Mountaineers recorded their first attempt of the second half in the 71' minute as Brianna Luongo was denied by Beck.
From that point, the Green & White created seven corner kick opportunities, which included the eventual game-winner from Nunez. Wagner.
For the match, the Seahawks held a 16-8 edge in shot attempts, which includes a 7-4 advantage in shots on target. Barone led the way with five shot attempts (two on goal) while Nunez had four chances, two on goal and the lone tally of the match.
Wagner will be back on the pitch Thursday, October 31 as they will make their final road trip of the 2019 season when they travel to Teaneck, NJ to tangle with the Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights for a 7:00 p.m. tilt.
Follow us: #CHAOSonthehill
Wagner Athletics
Women's Soccer
