September 8, 2012
A ROAD BRACE
Cubbage lifts St. John's women over Fordham

BRONX, N.Y. – Freshman Emily Cubbage recorded her first-career multi-goal game as she led the St. John’s women’s soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Fordham on Friday night at Coffey Field.

Cubbage has three goals on the season, including two game-winners.

Fordham fell to 1-4-0.

She scored off a corner kick in the fifth minute. Junior Morgan Ritter took the corner, and while the Rams attempted to clear it, the midfielders Amy Marron and Deanna Marino kept it alive until Cubbage was able to finish with a sliding shot from eight yards.

The Rio Rancho, N.M., native tallied an insurance goal in the 77th minute, securing the win for St. John’s (3-3-0). Led by a through pass from Ritter, Cubbage, coming toward the goal on a breakaway chipped in a craftily arcing shot that landed behind the goalkeeper into the far corner of the net.

“Before today, we had been playing Emily sort of out of her usual position to fill the spots we needed with our injuries, but Emily is so versatile that you can play her in a number of different positions and she will do whatever you need her today,” St. John’s coach Ian Stone said. “Tonight, we needed her to score. Her first goal today showed a lot of skill and the second showcased the growth and maturity in her game so far this season.”

Freshman goalkeeper Ellen Conway, who played a standout game, made four saves during the opening period, en route to her first-career shutout. In the 20th minute, Conway came up with the save off a twice-played penalty kick for Fordham, keeping the lead for the Red Storm. The first penalty kick, taken by Fordham’s Kristina Maksuti, had to be re-shot after line violation. Conway was able to clear away both Maksuti’s first and second shot opportunity.

“Ellen played with a lot of confidence today,” Stone said. “She communicated very well and was able to come off her line to make more than her fair share of difficult plays.”

The Red Storm will continue on its two-game road trip at Columbia at 7 p.m. on Sunday.