ST. MARY’S, Md. – The No. 2 TCNJ women’s soccer team opened its 2022 season on Saturday afternoon at the Seahawk Classic hosted by St. Mary’s (Md.), and the Lions fell to Salisbury, 3-2. Lindsay O’Keefe and Emma Pascarella each scored for the Lions.
The first two goals of the game came just 22 seconds apart, and Salisbury struck first in the 16thth minute on a low shot by Autumn Conway to make it 1-0. That lead didn’t last long. A foul in the box led to a penalty kick attempt for O’Keefe, and the senior buried it to tie the score at a goal apiece in the 17th minutes. O’Keefe finished the 2021 season tied for fifth on the team in goals with five.
Salisbury retook the momentum in the final minute of the first half. Again, it was a successful penalty kick as Tori Pietuszka netted the go-ahead goal with just 28 seconds remaining in the period.
The Sea Gulls added an insurance tally in the 53rdrd minute on a shot to the lower left by Kristen Ging.
That extra goal came in handy for Salisbury as the Lions pulled to within one in the 70th minutes. Pascarella scored her first of the season after scoring seven in 2021, and the Lions were back to within a goal at 3-2.
The Lions pushed for the tying marker in the final stages of the game, recording five corner kicks in the final six minutes of play. The Lions only managed one shot, a blocked attempt by Victoria D’Imperioin that final sequence, though.
The stats showed a strong effort from TCNJ with the Lions outshooting the Sea Gulls, 17-12, while holding a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Gianna Coppola joined D’Imperio and O’Keefe with three shots each. Pascarella led the Lions with four shots and two shots on goal.
TCNJ continues the Seahawk Classic on Sunday against the hosts when it plays St. Mary’s (Md.) at 3 p.m