Women’s Soccer Draws With Pratt In Season Opener

NEW YORK — The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) women's soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw with Clinton Hill rivals Pratt Institute in their 2021 season opener at Randall's Island. It was their first official game in 674 days and the first under new head coach Kelly Raddar.

Rookie Mia Castaneda (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) scored the lone SJC tally and pulled the Bears (0-0-1) even in the 66th minute finishing a feed from senior Christina Di Bartolo (Middle Village, N.Y./Forest Hills). Senior Reem Shaban (Brooklyn, N.Y./New Utrecht) stopped 10 shots, including four in the overtime session to preserve the tie.

How It Happened

• Pratt (0-0-1) was the aggressor early on and drew first blood in the 33rd minute on a Grace Florence strike and they took a 1-0 lead into the first break.
• The Bears regrouped during the intermission and opened the second half on the offensive, outshooting the Cannoneers 7-0 over the first 20 minutes. After Castaneda's hit the woodwork in the 52nd minute, the Bears next five shots prompted a save before Castaneda broke through with the game-tying-goal.
• Pratt outshot SJC 4-2 in the overtime sessions, but Shaban was up to the task, including two crucial saves in the final minute of the second overtime.
• St. Joseph's finished with a 17-14 shot advantage, including a 12-11 in shots on goal. The Bears also held an 8-4 edge in corner kicks.

For the Bears

• Castaneda finished with seven shots (four on goal) to lead all players.
• Julia Lavelle (Bayside, N.Y./Mary Louis Academy), Sabrina Amadio (Douglaston, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy), and Ashley Vozella (Reading, Pa./Berks Catholic) registered two shots on goal each.

Next Up

The Bears will make their longest trip of the season on Tuesday, September 7 to face the University of Valley Forge. Kick off in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania is set for 4:30 p.m with links to live stats and video available on sjcbears.com/live.