ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – Madison Pieloch picked the perfect moment for her first goal of the season Wednesday afternoon, converting a second-half penalty kick as Pace University Women's Soccer secured a 1-0 road victory over Molloy University at John A. Darcy Field. The Setters improved to 6-2 on the season following the gritty road win.
Chances came at both ends during a scoreless opening half. Bindiya Wadhwani and Ava Jordan each tested the Molloy goalkeeper late in the period, while Siena McCree turned aside two attempts to keep the Lions off the board. Pace also generated all three corner kicks in the match.
The breakthrough arrived just over 15 minutes into the second half. After a Molloy foul, Pieloch stepped to the penalty spot and converted at the 60:07 mark for her first goal of the year and the eventual game-winner.
Molloy mounted its strongest push after falling behind. The Lions struck the crossbar in the 69th minute before McCree and the Setters defense were tested several times down the stretch. McCree made three second-half saves, including a stop with 2:35 remaining, while the defense added a team save in the 78th minute to protect the one-goal advantage.
McCree finished with five saves across 90 minutes to earn the clean sheet. Wadhwani led the Pace attack with three shots and two on goal, while Alyssa Blanchette added three attempts. The Setters finished with 11 shots, five on target and three corner kicks.
The Blue and Gold return to Northeast 10 Conference action Saturday, Sept. 26, when they travel to Manchester, NH, to face Southern New Hampshire University at 1:00 p.m.
