HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 18, 2021)  – Jessica Letherbarrow found the back of the net in the 43rd minute for the only goal of the match as the University of Scranton defeated the Stevens Institute of Technology women's soccer team 1-0 Saturday in a non-conference match at a muggy DeBaun Athletic Complex.

With her team trailing, sophomore Jana Mucci had the best scoring chance of the match for the Ducks in the 72nd minute. After a goal kick, the Ducks turned the Royals just in the midfield. The ball eventually landed at the feet of Mucci, who fired a right-footed shot from outside the 18. Scraton's goalkeeper, Amanda Steinberg, made a valiant leap, but the ball rang off the crossbar and back into play. 

Steinberg finished with one save to earn the victory for Scranton, who moved to 5-0. Senior Izzy DiDario suffered the loss for Stevens, who dropped to 1-3-1. The result evened the all-time series at 1-1-1.

After an entertaining positional battle in the opening half that saw the Ducks largely control the pace of play, Letherbarrow took advantage of a loose ball in the 43rd minute to produce the only goal in the match. The Royals' Emily Bannon looped a crossing ball into the middle of the field that DiDario punched away from danger. Letherbarrow was in the right place at the right time and flicked the loose ball into the upper portion of the goal.

Inside the Numbers

• Stevens outshot Scranton 9-3, including a 6-2 margin in the first half. First-year Olivia Castro and sophomore Jana Mucci fired off two attempts to lead the Ducks.
• Each side had one shot on goal. 
• Scranton held a slim 6-5 advantage in corners. 
• Steinberg was shown a yellow card in the first half after coming off her line to play a ball in the 43rd minute. 
• Sophomore Nina Burden drew her first collegiate start.

Unsung Hero

• Senior Nicole Veraja broke up a potential scoring chance in the 83rd minute, thwarting a Scranton two-on-one opportunity in the attacking third. With a third Royal trailing the play, the Orangeburg, New York native deflected Claire Mullholland's attempt to lead Niamh Healy into a dangerous scoring area.

From the Sidelines - Head Coach Jeff Parker

• "Another difficult pill to swallow for our group tonight. We are continuing to take steps forward, but we are not being successful in the match's most critical phases at the moment. We created more than enough chances and gave up very few, but that's the game. We are going to rewatch, regroup and recover as we've got Vassar coming in on Tuesday evening. I wouldn't bet against this group when it comes to keeping things going in the right direction. I know our coaches believe in them wholeheartedly and their character will reveal itself very soon."

Up Next

• Women's Soccer welcomes Vassar College to campus on Sept. 21.
• Stevens is 10-4-1 against the Brewers since 2004.
• In a unique scheduling twist, this will be the ninth straight meeting between the programs in Hoboken.
• Links for live stats and video are available on StevensDucks.com.

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