HOBOKEN, N.J. (October 13, 2018)  – Junior Julia Panko scored on a penalty kick in the 23rd minute for the only goal of the match as the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team blanked Nazareth 1-0 Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference fixture at the DeBaun Athletic Complex.

Freshman Izzy DiDario made one save in posting her third clean sheet of the season for the Ducks, who won their eighth consecutive match to improve to 10-2 on the year and a perfect 6-0 in Empire 8 play.

Hannah Miller was tested often by the potent Stevens offense, but made 14 saves for Nazareth, who fell to 6-5-3 and 2-2-2 in the E8. The win reclaimed a slim advantage for Stevens in the all-time series (8-7-4) and the Ducks have won three of the last four meetings in Hoboken. Stevens is 6-1 on campus this season.

Panko was awarded a penalty kick after being fouled just inside the 18-yard box. The Millstone Township, New Jersey native was on the move after receiving a nifty feed from sophomore Erica O'Kelly. O'Kelly made a long run in space on the far sideline, before dishing to Panko.

Panko took her penalty and the strike glanced off Miller's hands before trickling into the corner of the net. The junior is 2-for-2 on penalties this season.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens fired 25 shots, including 15 on net. The Ducks have recorded 25 or more shots on three different occasions this season.
• The Ducks held a 7-5 advantage in corners and held the Golden Flyers to just one in the second half. Stevens has allowed just two goals in the second half this season.
• Freshman Ally Wanzor led all players with seven shots with five registering on net.

Unsung Hero

• Freshman Gianni Nitti played all 90 minutes and helped marshall a defensive effort that allowed just three shots and one quality scoring opportunity. 

From the Sidelines

• "Proud of our group and their performance today: they way we moved the ball, the way we defended, the way we created chances against our opponents' low block set up. We faced a goalkeeper who was playing at a very high level throughout the match, but managed our emotions and got the breakthrough we needed."
• "Important three points in the grand scheme of things and overall, pretty proud of our reactions to the twists and turns of today's match."

Up Next

• Stevens heads to Ewing, New Jersey for its annual fixture with nationally-ranked The College of New Jersey.
• Live stats and video links are available at StevensDucks.com.

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