Gibbons' Second-Half Goal Leads Royals Past Susquehanna
Junior midfielder Sarah Gibbons (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) scored in the second half to lead The University of Scranton past Susquehanna, 1-0, in women's soccer action at Fitzpatrick Field on Saturday afternoon.
After a scoreless first half, the Royals turned up the offensive pressure right from the start in the second half. After a few good chances that Scranton couldn't convert, Gibbons picked up a failed clearing attempt by the Susquehanna defense and rifled a shot past the Crusaders' goalie in the 60th minute to put Scranton (7-1-3, 2-0 Landmark) in the lead. The goal was Gibbons' team-leading sixth of the season and the eighth of her career. She also has scored all three of Scranton's goals in Landmark Conference play this season.
The Scranton defense did the rest as the Royals held Susquehanna (6-4-1, 1-1 Landmark) to just three shots, none on goal. Led by the backline of juniors Jessica Sciscione (Freehold, N.J./Red Bank Catholic), Amanda Kresge (Clifton, N.J./Immaculate Heart Academy), Noelle Malone (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Kellenberg Memorial) and Emily Farrell (Telford, Pa./Souderton Area) and strong midfield play from freshmen Andrea Ricketti (Hamilton, N.J./The Pennington School) and Ellen Walker (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty), Scranton enjoyed a 15-2 advantage in shots after the break.
The shutout is Scranton's fifth this season and fourth in their last five games. The Royals have now allowed just one goal in their last 522 minutes of action.
The win was the second straight 1-0 victory for Scranton over Susquehanna. The Royals have won four of the last five meetings between the schools and lead the all-time series, 9-2-1.
The Royals return to action Wednesday when they host Western Connecticut State in a non-conference match at 7 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Field.
--ROYALS--
