MORGANTOWN, W.VA. – The St. John’s women’s soccer team fell to West Virginia in the quarterfinals of the 2003 BIG EAST Tournament, 2-1. In a hard-fought contest, the Mountaineers held off a second half serge by the Red Storm to advance to the semifinals. St. John’s fall to 9-9-1 overall, while West Virginia improves to 15-3-1.

West Virginia was on the attack early, having three strong scoring opportunities in the game’s first ten minutes. Sophomore goalkeeper Tracey Rollings (Paignton, England) thwarted their attack as she made three solid saves, including a diving tip over the crossbar on a header by the Mountaineer forward. The Mountaineers broke through for the game’s first goal at 10:40. Sophomore Marisa Kanela crossed the ball from the left side across to Lisa Stoia who one-timed the ball past Rollings.

Neither team could make a solid run at the goal until 32:01, when Lisa Stoia collected the ball in the middle of the field and fed a streaking Leslie Barden from just outside the 18-yard box. Barden was left with a one-on-one with Rollings, who beat her to the near post for a 2-0 West Virginia lead that would hold until the half. The Mountaineers out shot the Red Storm 8-2 for the first half, as Rollings made four saves in goal for the Red Storm.

St. John’s cut the West Virginia lead to one at 61:42 as senior Courtney Rett (Valley Stream, N.Y.) knocked in her first goal of the year. Rett, who minutes earlier had been moved up to the front line, took a feed from freshman Natasha Lee (Albuquerque, N.M.) in front of the net. Rett’s first shot was blocked by a Mountaineer defender, but the ball retuned to her feet and she beat the keeper to the right post.

At 73:41, West Virginia forward Laura Kane was taken down in the box by senior defender Claudia Rubino (Montreal North, Canada) resulting in a Mountaineer penalty kick. Chrissie Abbott took the kick, but was stopped by Rollings who dove to her left to knock the ball away.

Minutes later St. John’s went on the attack, as the West Virginia keeper knocked two Red Storm shots out of play. After a Kaitlin Schmidt (Centereach, N.Y.) shot was knocked aside, the following attack bounced to Dominica Reina (Frankfort, N.Y.). Reina collected the ball on the far wing and released a shot that was knocked out of play by the keeper. St. John’s continued the pressure the rest of the second half, but were unable knock in the tying goal.

For the game, West Virginia out shot St. John’s 22-6 and held the advantage in corner kicks 10-2. Rollings had eight saves for the Red Storm in defeat.