The St. Thomas University women’s soccer team broke the ice and got their first win in Saturday’s game against the UNB Saint John Seawolves. The Tommies took control early, with Elaine Gillis scoring the first goal 21 minutes into the game.
Later in the half, UNBSJ’s Lauren Coyle went down in the box, and the referee signaled for a penalty kick. STU’s regular goalkeeper, Mija MacDonald, was out with a wrist injury which could keep her out of play for four to six weeks, so Chelsey Leahy was left guarding the net. She was unable to stop Coyle, who scored the equalizer. Despite the goal off the penalty kick, Tommies head coach Alex Valerio is pleased with how Leahy performed.
“We struggled a little bit in the midfield without her but she did a great job in net. I have so much respect for her right now,” said Valerio.
It looked like it was going to be a tie game going into halftime, but STU’s Paige Legacy had different ideas. Legacy was able to get the ball past the Seawolves keeper and rega
in the lead for the Tommies. That made the score 2-1 at halftime for St. Thomas.
From then on, STU kept control. Despite not scoring any more goals, they were able to get a number of opportunities, including a shot that the Seawolves goalkeeper fumbled off the goal post before getting it under her control. When time ran out, the Tommies were still up 2-1.
“Mistakes were minimal today,” said Valerio, who found there only real problem was the penalty shot. “We didn’t make any other crucial errors.”
Mostly the team is pleased to get their first win.
“I think the girls are really jazzed to get over that first win hump,” said Valerio.
