Box Score

GLASSBORO, NJ – The Rowan University women’s soccer team defeated Kean University, 2-0 in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Saturday evening.

The third seeded Profs have a 15-2-1 record. In the semifinals, Rowan travels to number two William Paterson University (11-3-4) on Wednesday, November 3 for a 6 p.m. game. The Cougars, the sixth seed, are 9-6-4 overall.

In the other first round game, the fourth seed Richard Stockton College shut out number five New Jersey City University, 1-0. The top seed The College of New Jersey (14-2-1) hosts Richard Stockton (12-6-2) in the semifinals on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

The two semifinal winners meet in the championship on Saturday, November 6 at the higher seed. The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.

Early in the first half, Kean scored a goal but it was called back because of an offside penalty. Midfielder Dayna Sakalsky (fr. Long Valley, NJ/West Morris Central) put Rowan ahead, 1-0 at 32:48 in the first period. Forward Veronica Rhea (jr. Pennsauken, NJ/Paul VI) passed the ball to Sakalsky at the 18 yard line and she beat a defender for the goal. At 35:22, Sakalsky sent the ball in front of the net and Rhea poked it in to give the Profs a 2-0 lead.

Rowan took 13 shots, while Kean had eight. Goalkeeper Deana Wood (fr. Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Reg.) made one save for her eighth shutout of the season. Cougars’ goalkeeper Leandra Russo (sr. Galloway, NJ/Absegami) stopped three shots.