Gibbons' Goal Lifts Scranton Past Catholic, 1-0; Royals Lock Up Top Seed In Playoffs With Victory
With rival Catholic University coming to town with first place and the top seed in the Landmark Conference playoffs on the line, the University of Scranton women's soccer team turned to one if its offensive standouts to bury the Cardinals.
Junior midfielder Sarah Gibbons (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) scored on a header in the second half and the Royals' defense turned in another stellar effort in a 1-0 victory Saturday afternoon at Fitzpatrick Field.
The victory clinches the regular season title and the top seed in the upcoming Landmark Conference playoffs for the Royals. This is the third time in the past five seasons that Scranton has been the top seed for the Landmark Conference playoffs.
After a scoreless first half that was dominated by strong defensive play on both sides, Scranton broke through during a period of constant pressure in the second half. Gibbons' tallied her team-leading seventh goal at the 68:12 mark when she converted on a beautiful header off a corner kick by junior midfielder Sydney Parker (Randolph, N.J./Randolph). The goal was Gibbons' team-leading seventh while Parker picked up her fifth assist, also best on the team. It was also the third time this season that Parker assisted on a goal by Gibbons.
The Scranton defense then put the clamps on the Cardinals for the final 22 minutes, finishing another standout defensive effort in a season full of them. The Royals allowed just three shots in the game and only one on goal, the 11th time in 15 games that the Royals allowed three or fewer shots on goal.
It was the fourth straight win by shutout and seventh on the season for Scranton. The Royals have not allowed a goal in their last 287 minutes and only one in their last 575 minutes of play.
Scranton has now won three of its last four matchups with Catholic. The Cardinals lead the all-time series, 4-3.
The Royals return to action Wednesday when they travel to Dallas, Pa. for a non-conference matchup with Misericordia University at 7 p.m.
--ROYALS--
