Wagner Moves Past Rider To Stay Undefeated

August 23, 2017

Lawrenceville, NJ – First-half goals by sophomores Maria Nunez (East Greenwich, RI / East Greenwich) and Christine Letendre (Staten Island, NY / Notre Dame Academy) proved to be all the offense needed tonight for the Wagner College women's soccer team as the Seahawks remain unbeaten under first-year head coach Phil Casella following a 2-1 victory at Rider.

With the win, the Green and White improve to 2-0-1 on the year, while the Broncs drop to 0-1-0 on the young season.

"These ladies are showing so much heart, effort, commitment, and passion," first-year head coach Phil Casella said after the game. "College soccer is hard and playing three games in six days and getting these results is truly amazing."

The Seahawks started fast, as both Nunez and Letendre fired on goal within the opening two minutes of play, but it took until the 20^th minute until their efforts were rewarded. After a promising opportunity by freshman Mya Donnelly (Manalapan, NJ / Manalapan) was saved by Amy Kozlowski in goal for the Broncs, Nunez was in position to alertly knock in the rebound, giving Wagner a 1-0 lead.

With just 10 minutes in the first period, Rider managed to tie the game at one apiece, as Kourtney Cunningham got the ball past junior goalkeeper Katie Viscardi (Hazlet, NJ / Mater Dei Prep) after breaking through on the left wing. Wagner answered just three minutes later, with what would prove to be the game-winner as a long ball down the middle by junior Sandra Battista (Staten Island, NY / Notre Dame Academy) slipped past Kozlowski and right to Letendre, who gave the Seahawks a 2-1 lead from short distance.

In the second period, Battista had the first scoring chance 56 minutes into the contest, but her attempt was saved by new goalkeeper Carmen Carbonell. From this point on, the Seahawks relied on their stiff brand of defense, while managing a few counter attacks in the process.

Attempts by freshmen Mattea Reale (Ancaster, Ontario, Canada / Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School) and Madison Starr (New Canaan, CT / New Canaan), as well as junior Kim Fetto (Manalapan, NJ / Manalapan), could not find their target but the Seahawk defense stood tall in defending their one-goal lead until the very end, limiting Rider to just one shot on goal in the second half.

Viscardi finished the first half with a team-high three saves, while sophomore Delaney Beck(Bakersfield, CA / Garces Memorial) turned away one attempt in the second half. Nunez led Wagner with four shots, while Donnelly and Letendre each had two attempts.

Wagner returns on Sunday, September 3, for a noon matchup with IUPUI at Hameline Field.

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