POUGHKEESPIE, New York – Junior captain
Nicole Sasso scored two first-half goals off set pieces, senior defender
Alexa Svensson added two assists on those goals to tie the all-time program record, and Marist defeated Niagara 3-0 on Wednesday afternoon at Tenney Stadium.
The Red Foxes improve to 5-7-1 overall and 2-2-1 in the MAAC, leaping over the now 2-3 Purple Eagles. Niagara is now 6-5-1 overall.
- Sasso broke the scoreless tie in the 27th minute. Marist was awarded a free kick from 45 yards out. Svensson took the kick, and Sasso headed the pass past Niagara goalkeeper Caitlin White.
- Within a span of 10 seconds, beginning with 3:04 left in the first, the Red Fox defense blocked three Purple Eagle shots.
- Marist earned a corner kick with 1:10 until halftime. Svensson inserted the ball, and after a bounce, Sasso lifted her left leg and buried the ball towards the left post, making it 2-0 at the break.
- In the 74th minute, senior midfielder Taylor Mongno passed to sophomore forward Chiara Di Palma in the right corner. Di Palma crossed the ball to the left of the 18-yard box, and junior midfielder Katey Samarro finished the one-timer to extend the lead to 3-0.
- Substitute goalie Francesca Guzzo made her first save on an Ashley Lofranco shot to keep the Purple Eagles off the board in the 82nd minute.
- Though Niagara held the advantage in shots, Marist had more shots on goal (6-4).
- The Red Foxes compiled three corner kicks and prevented Niagara from generating corners.
- Sasso led Marist with the two scores, as well as four shots.
- Guzzo and starting netminder Natalie Kelchner combined for four saves.
- Svensson now ties Rycke Guiney, '14 for first on Marist's all-time list with 21 career helpers. Guiney accomplished the feat in 83 career games, while Svensson has done it in 57.
- Svensson collected two assists for the first time since October 6, 2018 against Saint Peter's.
- This was Sasso's first-career game with multiple goals.
- Mongno adds her first assist since October 18, 2017, which was also against Niagara.
- Marist has now won four straight at home over the Purple Eagles.
- The Red and White ignites a three-game road trip on Saturday, October 12 at Siena.
- Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.