By Nolan Miles

The battle between the St. John’s Knights and the JFK Islanders Monday afternoon in the IIAAG Girls Soccer League was decided in the last minute of regulation. With the game going down to the wire, and the teams deadlocked at 0-0, the Knights’ Jenna Han put away an incredible shot to win the game.

Han’s goal sealed the game giving the Knights the thrilling 1-0 victory. With neither team being able to score the entire game, Han broke down how she was able to put one past the keeper at the last minute.

“I knew that we didn’t have much time left and we had to take chances, and so I just shot it, I wasn’t even thinking about it.”

The result was surprising given that the entire game looked like it would lead up to a draw between the two tough teams. Both teams were locked in on defense and neither team was budging until the Knights broke through in the 80th minute with Han’s long-range effort. The shot sailed over the Islanders keeper and into the back of the net.

Jenna Han, with teammate photo bombers and puppy, share in the player of the game photo.

Although the ending of the game ended in that crazy sequence, the rest of the game was just as entertaining. The game started off with St. John’s finding success early and getting multiple shots on goal while pressuring the JFK defensive line.

The teams settled into a rhythm and both teams went back-and-forth trading shots and possession. The Islanders responded to the Knights’ early attack with shots and offensive pressure of their own.

Halftime came with the score tied at 0-0 as neither team was able to break through.

The Knights started off the second half hot, putting pressure on the Islanders defense again. JFK stepped up their offensive intensity and almost scored multiple times. St. John’s goalkeeper, Hana Fernandez, stepped up, saving a free kick by Islander, Kiyoni Yamaguchi. She then blocked another attempt by Aubree Ungacta to maintain her clean sheet.

With the game winding down, St. John’s made their way to just outside the Islander’s box, where Han put away the only goal of the night.

With playoffs just around the corner in the IIAAG Girls Soccer League, Han said the win was important. “ This win is important for us because each win helps us to improve our position in the standings in time for the playoffs. I think we’re a pretty solid team, but there are always areas we can work on such as communication, finishing, and covering for one another.”

The Knights will look to carry their momentum into their next game on Wednesday against the Sanchez Sharks at St. John’s. Meanwhile the Islanders will look to recover on Thursday against Southern.

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