Sciscione's Two Goals Power Scranton Past Moravian
The powerful right leg of junior defender Jessica Sciscione (Freehold, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) and another strong defensive effort helped The University of Scranton women's soccer team clinch a home playoff match with a 3-0 victory over Moravian College on Wednesday night at Fitzpatrick Field.
Sciscione scored a pair of goals, both off direct kicks, and freshman forward Courtney O'Kane (Springfield, Pa./Cardinal O'Hara) added a goal as the Royals (9-2-3, 4-0 Landmark Conference) guaranteed themselves a semifinal playoff match at home in two weeks. They remain tied for the conference lead with Catholic University.
Playing into a steady wind in the first half, Sciscione gave Scranton the lead at the 9:46 mark when she buried a direct kick from 28 yards out into the upper right corner of the goal. For Sciscione, who was twice named Landmark Conference Defensive Player of the Week, it was her first career goal.
O'Kane came off the bench to extend the Royals' lead when she scored on a 16-yard blast off a feed from freshman midfielder Katie O'Hanlon (Rockville Center, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy) at the 32:43 mark. The goal was the first of O'Kane's career while O'Hanlon picked up her second assist.
Sciscione closed out the scoring early in the second half when she again connected on a direct kick, this time from 20 yards out at the 50:30 mark of the second half.
Scranton kept the defensive clamps on Moravian (5-9-1, 1-3 Landmark) throughout, allowing just 10 shots, none of which were on goal. The Lady Greyhounds held a 12-3 advantage in corner kicks, but couldn't convert.
Scranton now leads the all-time series with Moravian, 10-3-2.
Scranton's last three victories have come by way of shutout, and the Royals have a total of six shutout victories on the season. They have allowed just one goal in their last 479 minutes of action.
The Royals return to action Saturday for Senior Day when Catholic comes to town with first place in the Landmark Conference on the line. Game time is 3:30 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Field.
--ROYALS--
