JAMAICA, N.Y. -- The St. Johns womens soccer didnt save its best shot for last, but nearly waited until the last moment in its match against local rival Manhattan Wednesday night. Freshman midfielder Lauren McGrory (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) headed a ball off of a corner kick with just over 10 minutes remaining as the Red Storm beat the Jaspers, 1-0, on Wednesday night at DaSilva Memorial Field.

After a full 90 minutes in which St. Johns pounded the Jasper defense for 28 shots in a tough, physical game, the game was scoreless after the first overtime period. In the 110th minute, junior Erin Zambelli (Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Sachem) took the corner kick and sent it into the box, where McGrory was able to head it past Manhattan goalkeeper Jeanne Marie Gilbert, giving the Red Storm a thrilling win.

Ive coached games where you sometimes dont even get that goal, St. Johns Head Coach Ian Stone said, so its nice to get the win. Were trying to get ready for the BIG EAST Tournament, and a win always makes you feel better.

The Red Storm had dominated play most of the night, outshooting Manhattan 13-4 in the first half. Just over two minutes into the match, senior Lisa Kaczmarski (Lancaster, N.Y./Clarence) picked up a loose ball, dribbled downfield for a shot, which Gilbert deflected high. Classmate Kristy Bergen (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) followed with a shot that went wide about a minute later.

Senior Lisa Rinaldi (St. Leonard, Quebec, Canada/Laurier McDonald) and Marissa Stork (Flushing, N.Y./St. Francis Prep) each had a pair of shots, while junior Joanna Dawson (Staten Island, N.Y./St. John Villa) added one, leading the offensive attack.

It was much of the same in the second half, as the Red Storm continued to launch shots at goal, but were unable to connect. Early in the period, Kaczmarski broke free again and sent a shot that went high. Bergen and Rinaldi had shots midway through the second half that were both saved, while Zambelli had perhaps the best chance, with a pair of headers in the 81st minute that were saved.

Senior goalkeeper Tina Fogg (Warwick, R.I./Warwick Veterans Memorial) picked up the win in goal, entering in the second half and recording one save. Graduate student Evie Ksenopoulos (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) played the first half and recorded three saves.

St. Johns outshot Manhattan, 29-6, took four corner kicks to the Jaspers three, and were offsides four times.

The Red Storm close out the regular season next Wednesday, October 31, hosting Stony Brook at 3 p.m.