Box Score

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Rowan University women’s soccer team lost to SUNY New Paltz, 2-1 in overtime in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament on Sunday evening.  The first and second round games were played at Lynchburg College.

New Paltz (14-5-3) moves on to the third round and will play Messiah College (19-0-1) in the sectionals next weekend.  Rowan ends the season with a 14-5 record.  It was the Profs’ eighth appearance and seventh straight in the national tournament. 

In the first round on Saturday, Rowan defeated Shenandoah University, 1-0 in overtime.  New Paltz advanced in the first round over Lynchburg College on penalty kicks (3-2).  The teams played to a scoreless tie after two overtimes.

The NCAA sectionals are on Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19 or Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20.  The national semifinals and final are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3 at the Blossom Soccer Stadium in San Antonio, TX.

Midfielder Alexa Balestrieri (sr. Massapequa Park, NY/Massapequa) scored the game winner on a free kick at 7:45 into the first overtime.  Her shot hit the lower left side of the Rowan net.  The Hawks tied the game with two seconds left in the first half.  Midfielder Beth Bowling (jr. Islip, NY/Islip) scored the goal with an assist from midfielder Rebecca Rothman (fr. Oceanside, NY/Oceanside).   

Back Miranda Donnian (so. Sewell, NJ/Clearview Reg.) produced the Profs’ goal at 9:18.  She knocked in a rebound after goalkeeper Stephanie Vega (jr. Oceanside, NY/Baldwin Senior) stopped a shot by forward Erika Suhl (fr. Brick, NJ/Brick Mem.). 

Rowan totaled 20 shots while New Paltz had six.  Vega ended the game with six saves.  Rowan goalkeeper Maria Dorris (jr. Mantua, NJ/Clearview Reg.) made one save.

For additional information and results for the NCAA women's soccer tournament go to ncaasports.com.