Naya Lipkens made a season-high 12 saves for the Red Storm. (Brenden Willsch Photo)
QUEENS, N.Y. – Led by a brilliant effort from redshirt junior goalkeeper Naya Lipkens, the St. John’s University women recorded their second consecutive conference victory, downing DePaul University, 1-0, in a Big East encounter at Belson Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Lipkens recorded a season-high 12 saves, including a crucial stop in the 86th minute. The Bloomfield, Conn. native has six shutouts this season, the most by a St. John’s keeper since Diana Poulin recorded a program-high 12 in 2016.
Ava Collins, a product of Auckland, New Zealand, found the back of the net for the third time this season, surpassing her goal- otal from the 2021 spring campaign. Forwards Zsani Kajan and Nicole Gordon recorded an assist.
The Johnnies improved to 6-2-1 and 2-0-0.
“That victory showed a lot of character from our team in that we played Thursday at Connecticut and we played great soccer, scoring three goals,” St. John’s head coach Ian Stone said. “Sometimes in the BIG EAST when you are playing Thursday and Sunday, especially when your opponent didn’t play on Thursday, you just have to grind it out and I am just so proud of the effort from our team.”
Collins struck in the seventh minute for the lone goal of the match. Kajan began the play, sending a behind-the-back pass up to Gordon just outside the box. Gordon played the ball up to Collins, who rocketed a shot over the head of the goalkeeper.
The Johnnies welcome Butler University to Belson Stadium Thursday at 7 p.m.
