NJAC Bracket
GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University men’s soccer team travels to The College of New Jersey on Wednesday, November 4 for a 7:30 p.m. semifinal game of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament.
The Profs (12-5-2) are the third seed in the conference tournament while the Lions (7-5-4) are seeded second. Rowan advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0 win over number six William Paterson University (Oct. 31) in the first round. In the other semifinal game, the top seed Montclair State University (15-1-2) hosts the fourth seed Rutgers-Newark (13-4-4). Rutgers-Newark had a 1-0 overtime victory in the first round against the fifth seed Richard Stockton College (Oct. 31).
The two semifinal winners meet in the championship game on Saturday, November 7 at the highest seed. Tickets for the conference tournament are: $5 for adults and $2 for students, children and senior citizens. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
Montclair State University is the defending conference champion. The Red Hawks have won three straight NJAC titles. Rowan’s last conference championship was in 2003. The Profs have a total of 14 NJAC Championships, 12 outright and two shared. During the regular season, Rowan and TCNJ had a 1-1 tie after two overtimes.
In the first round, midfielder Ryan Gordon (fr. Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill W.) scored the winning goal against William Paterson. Gordon recorded the game winner at 55:52 with an assist from forwards Dan Arnold (sr. Sicklerville, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) and Petter Lunde (fr Asker, Norway/Asker VGS). Goalkeeper Charlie Cunliffe (jr. Lakewood, NJ/Lakewood) made five saves for his seventh shutout of the year. Gordon was named the NJAC Rookie of the Week for his performance and Cunliffe was chosen the conference’s Defensive Player of the Week.
The Profs’ scoring leader is forward Mike Pascale (sr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River S.) with 15 points, six goals and three assists. Lunde has contributed with 14 points (6-2) and back Jason Dugan (sr. Seaville, NJ/Ocean City) follows with 10 (4-2). Forward Julian Berrios (fr. Lakewood, NJ/Calvary Academy) has added nine points.
Cunliffe has totaled 112 saves. His 86.8 save percentage is first in the conference. He is also tied for second in shutouts (7) and ranked fourth in goals against average (0.91).