DALLAS, Pa. (October 5, 2019) – Senior
Julia Panko's blast in the 88th minute proved to be the game-winner as No. 24/24 Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer defeated Misericordia University 1-0 Saturday evening on a brisk Mangelsdorf Field in both teams' MAC Freedom opener.
A misplaced kick by the Misericordia goalkeeper began the fateful play. The Cougars' Kendall Pearage retreated from midfield to collect the errant pass, but was immediately pressured by junior
Kaitlyn Casiano and senior
Gabby Saade. The swarming pressure forced the Cougars' midfielder to turn the ball over along the far sideline, returning possession to the Ducks.
Casiano quickly threw the ball onto the pitch, where junior
Emily Damrell collected the ball and touched it over to Panko. Stevens' two-time all-American received the pass in space and quickly darted towards the goal before being met by a defender.
Panko made a nifty move and turned on her defender's right shoulder. The Millstone Township, New Jersey native wound up and quickly fired a crossing ball towards the goal that sailed well over the leaping try of Misericordia's Alexis Benedetto for the game's lone marker. The tally was Panko's 34th career goal and second game-winner of the season, and moved the senior to within 10 points of 100 for her career. Should Panko reach the milestone, she'd become just the fourth player in program history to do so.
Sophomore
Izzy DiDario made four saves to post her second clean sheet in as many matches as Stevens improved to 6-3-1 on the year. The Ducks extended their winning streak to a season-high four matches and moved to 1-0 in MAC Freedom play. Stevens has won nine straight conference openers dating back to the program's time in the Empire 8 Conference.
Benedetto made three saves for Misericordia, who fell to 4-4-2. The Cougars have dropped two straight. It was the first MAC Freedom loss for the program since FDU-Florham defeated Misericordia 1-0 on October 22, 2017 in Madison. Including the postseason, Misericordia had won 12 straight MAC Freedom contests.
Inside the Numbers
- The teams combined for 29 shots, with Misericordia outshooting Stevens, 16-13 on the evening. Each team fired four shots on goal. Panko led all players with five shots, although Saade matched Misericordia's Devyn Anderson with a game-high two shots on frame.
- The Cougars earned 10 corners on the evening against only five for the Ducks.
Unsung Heroes
- Although the team was outshot, few quality looks were given. The Ducks defensive group has allowed just two goals over Stevens' last four matches.
- Stevens is tied with Eastern University for the fewest goals allowed (11) to date in the MAC Freedom.
From the Sidelines (Head Coach Jeff Parker)
- "Tremendous result on the road in a place few teams leave with points. [I] thought we had an excellent start and really set a great tone [over] the first 20 minutes. Misericordia was able to turn things and it was really back and forth over the next 45 to 50 minutes of play, with the home side really putting us under pressure at times. I thought our group was able to finally impose their will in the end and we turned it into an important three points, anticipating that Misericordia is going to be there in the conference race until the end and we're going to try to improve on some areas to be ready for the next step in what is sure to be a competitive rivalry in the MAC Freedom."
Up Next
- No. 24/24 Women's Soccer returns to the DeBaun Athletic Complex for the MAC Freedom home opener against Wilkes in one week's time.
- It will be the first meeting between the teams since Sept. 18, 2007.
- Links for live stats and video are available on StevensDucks.com.
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