Two firsts came off of one foot for the Setters women’s soccer team against American International College.
Freshman midfielder and psychology major Kristiana Padavona put her first goal of her career through the Yellow Jackets net and gave the Setters their first win in 2012.
Padavona’s first goal of the year would not have seen the back of the net without an indirect assist from sophomore nursing major Geena Kooner. AIC keeper Amber McLeen deflected Kooner’s shot and the sophomore’s fellow midfielder got the ensuing rebound. Padavona found the back of the net with three minutes and 96 seconds left in regulation.
The Howard Beach native joined the short list of Setter goal scorers in 2012. To date, only four other Setters have scored a goal this season. Padavona’s first collegiate goal put her one goal behind sophomore communications major Jillian Ferro for the team lead.
Even though Padavona scored the game’s only goal, the Setters goalie played an important role in victory.
Senior keeper and marketing major Courtany Hagen recorded her first shutout of the year. Hagen padded her individual statistics by getting four saves, which brought her season save total to 25. Hagen currently ranks second in the NE-10 in saves behind only Moriah Saidel of the University of New Haven and her 37 stops.
In addition to Hagen having her best game of the year to date, the Setters stopped the Yellow Jackets from stinging altogether. AIC was tied for 11 in the NE-10 with five goals heading into their showdown with the Setters. Ninety minutes and 18 shots later the Yellow Jackets left Briarcliff Manor with five goals on the season.
The Setters corralled the best goal scorers of the Yellow Jackets throughout the entire game. Although AIC midfielder Devan Boundy put a shot on goal, neither Caroline Boyce nor Hillary Baker had a shot on net against the Setters. Also, out of 18 total AIC shots, only four of them were towards Hagen.
With the win, the Setters improved their overall record to 1-2-2 on the infant season. The victory was Pace’s first win in the Northeast-10 Conference in 2012. Padavona’s late goal also pushed the Setters into the NE-10 playoff picture for the time being.
The Setters will look to show off their skills in front of impressionable children on Youth Day this weekend. Pace will host the Warriors of Merrimack College on September 15.