St. Mary's Women's Soccer Undefeated After Four Games

MORAGA, CA —The St. Mary's College women's soccer team is off to an undefeated start to the 2021 season, going 3-0-1 in its first four games.

The Gaels' most recent result was a 1-1 tie with Cal on Sunday in Berkeley, a game in which St. Mary's had to play shorthanded for the final 18 minutes of regulation and two 10-minute overtimes after a red card. Starting midfielder Malia Allison also was forced off early in the match due to an injury.

St. Mary's opened the scoring in the 55th minute when junior midfielder Taylor Mendoza scored on an assist by junior midfielder Isabella Santavicca.

The sending off occurred in the 72nd minute, and the Golden Bears equalized four minutes from the end of regulation.

Cal had eight shots after going up a player, but St. Mary's sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Poland was up to the challenge, making a few key saves toward the end of regulation and in overtime.

The Gaels had entered the game undefeated after opening-season wins over Sacramento State (3-0 on Aug. 19), Cal Poly (2-1 on Aug. 22) and San Diego State (2-1 on Aug. 26).

"I'm pleased with the way we've started the season," St. Mary's head coach Theresa Romagnolo said. "We have already learned so much about ourselves against some very good opponents in a short amount of time. This team is hungry and are attacking their opportunities. They work hard and play together as a unit on both sides of the ball. We are focused on developing each day and enjoying every moment together."

On Monday, the Gaels fifth-year midfielder/forward Annamaria DiGeronimo was named the season's first Bay Alarm Student-Athlete of the Week. The native of Sandy, Utah had both assists in the Gaels' 2-1 comeback win at home against San Diego State. The first goal was scored by freshman forward Alexis Gutierrez and the second by Santavicca.

St. Mary's returns to action at 1 p.m. Friday when it hosts UC Riverside. The Gaels will travel to Fresno State at noon on Sunday.

Also on Friday, the St. Mary's men's soccer team will take the field after the women, facing UNLV at 4 p.m.

The men will enter that contest with a 2-1 record after suffering their first loss of the season Monday, a 2-1 setback at home to Cal Poly.

Freshman forward Jack Vestberg scored the Gaels' lone goal in that contest.