BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Oct. 8, 2022) – Senior Cassidy Jester (Denton, Texas) scored the game-winner in the 76th minute and sophomore Margaret Ripperger (McKinney, Texas) made 10 saves as the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's soccer team earned its first conference victory ever with a 2-1 triumph on the road against St. Joseph's-Brooklyn on Saturday afternoon.
 
Freshman Emma Cox (Huntingtown, Md.) also tallied a goal, while sophomore Natalia Gallardo (El Paso, Texas) registered her team-leading sixth assist of the year to help the Mariners improve to 6-4-1 (1-4-1 Skyline). St. Joseph's Brooklyn saw its record move to 3-7-1 (1-5-0 Skyline).
 
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• Box Score 

The Mariners wasted no time finding their way onto the scoreboard. In just the fourth minute, Cox beat the keeper with an unassisted tally that gave USMMA a quick 1-0 lead. The Bears attempted to level the score less than one minute later, but Ripperger made a save to preserve the advantage. The sophomore keeper finished the first half with five saves and the Mariners took the 1-0 lead into the break.
 
Ripperger eventually saw her save tally climb to nine before the Bears were able to break through with an equalizer. Mia Castaneda took advantage of a deflection in the 63rd minute and found the back of the net for her 13th goal of the year.
 
Neither team managed another shot until the 76th minute when Jester beat the keeper to put USMMA back on top, 2-1. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn tested Ripperger once more in the 81st minute, but the goalie was up to the challenge and notched her 10th save to close out the victory.
 
The Mariners return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 12, with a 7 p.m. road contest at Mount St. Mary up in Newburgh, N.Y. Live stats and a live video feed of the game will be available with links on the USMMA Women's Soccer Schedule Page.
 
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