Reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Stephanie Radakovic scored the lone goal in the 43
rd minute as Saint Peter's shutout Siena Women's Soccer 1-0 on the final day of regular season action at wind-whipped Caven Point Field in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Siena (8-9-1, 6-4), which entered the day with an opportunity to earn as high as the two-seed, locked in the No. 4 seed for the MAAC Tournament. The Saints will begin their title defense at home Sunday when they host fifth-seeded Iona in the MAAC Quarterfinals at Hickey Field on either ESPN3 or ESPN+. Match time and ESPN Network designation will be set Thursday.
Siena held a 14-7 advantage in shots – including multiple great looks in the first half – but couldn't cash in.
Annie Bagnall and
Ashleigh Sarafin paced the Saints offensively with three shots apiece.
Meanwhile Saint Peter's (3-13, 3-7) struck on one of its limited opportunities, breaking through for the decisive goal with just 2:09 remaining in the first half. A long, high-arcing throw from the left into the wind by Skyler Owens bounced high off the turf, over a Peacock attacker, and redirected off the head of Radakovic for what proved to be the winning score.
Siena held an 11-on-10 advantage for the final 20:18 following a red card, but Saint Peter's stonewalled the Saints. Annabelle Adams made four saves for the Peacocks, which recorded their second victory in the past three years over Siena following a 21-match losing streak in the series.
The Saints will now look to regroup following a pair of 1-0 defeats to close out the regular season, as the reigning MAAC Champions road to a repeat will begin the same way it did in the spring – with a home quarterfinal vs. Iona. Moreover, the programs will be meeting in Loudonville for the fourth time in seven months. Siena prevailed 3-2 in this fall's regular season matchup on Oct. 2 at Hickey Field, behind goals from
Rebecca Rolland (8'), Bagnall (30'), and Sarafin ('82.). However, the Gaels enter the rematch as the hottest team in the MAAC, having won six straight overall while bouncing back from a 1-4 league start to secure a tournament berth.