GLASSBORO, NJ – Forward Amanda Pitts scored three goals to lead the fifth seeded Kean University women’s soccer team to a 4-2 victory over the fourth seed Rowan University in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament.

With the scored tied at two, Pitts (so. Rahway, NJ/Union Catholic) knocked in a loose ball in front of the Profs’ net at 81:37, for what proved to be the game winning goal. Pitts scored the fourth goal at 87:52 on a breakaway. Midfielder Jenna Godwin (fr. Kingwood, NJ/Delaware Valley Reg.) picked up the assist. At 51:09, Rowan tied the game when midfielder Emilie Wilson (so. Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) put back a corner kick from midfielder Jenna Balestriere (so. Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood).

In the first half, Pitts gave Kean a 1-0 lead at 6:26. She headed in a corner kick by midfielder Brienne Campbell (sr. Freehold, NJ/Freehold Boro). Profs’ back Alicia Kavlunas (so. Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Reg.) tied the game on a header off a corner by Balestriere at 31:32. Less than three minutes later, Cougars’ forward Heather Anzivino (sr. Belford, NJ/Middletown N.) found the back of the net with a shot from just outside the 18 yard line.

Rowan outshot Kean, 24-12. Goalie Nicole Groszew (fr. Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) made 13 saves for the Cougars. Goalie Melissa Hall (so. Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) stopped five shots in the Profs’ net.

With the win, Kean improves to 12-3-2 and advances to the semifinals of the NJAC Championship Tournament where it will meet top seeded The College of New Jersey on Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. In the other semifinal game, second seeded Montclair State University hosts the three seed Richard Stockton College at 7:30 p.m. Richard Stockton defeated sixth seeded William Paterson University, 1-0 in the first round. Rowan finishes the regular season with a 13-3-2 record.