Box Score MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Rowan University men's soccer team lost to Montclair State University, 5-1 in the semifinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Wednesday night.
The Profs have a record of 16-5 and now await a possible at-large berth to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Rowan is second in the NCAA South Atlantic Region rankings that were released on Wednesday.
The Red Hawks are 18-2 and host Rutgers-Camden (13-7-1) in the NJAC Championship game on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. The Scarlet Raptors defeated Stockton University (14-5-1), 2-0 in the other semifinal game. The winner of the conference championship earns an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. The NCAA selection show is on Monday, Nov. 9 at 1:30 p.m. on ncaa.com.
Rowan goalie
Kyle Dennis (fr. South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) played 54:24 and stopped five shots. Goalie
Grant Kelly (fr. Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) saw 35:36 of action and made two saves. Montclair State goalie Mike Saalfrank (fr. Ramsey, NJ/Ramsey) recorded six saves and two assists.
Forward
Shane Doherty (fr. Delran, NJ/Delran) gave Rowan a 1-0 lead at the 4:57 mark. Forward Mike Olla (jr. Bloomfield, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep) tied the game with 11:08 to play in the first half off an assist by midfielder Damian Bziukiewicz (sr. East Rutherford, NJ/Becton Reg.). Forward Matt Hendrickson (fr. Sewell, NJ/Clearview Reg.) put Montclair State out in front with 19-seconds remaining. Forward Aaron Rose (jr. Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) recorded the assist.
The Red Hawks added an insurance tally 58-seconds into the second half when Olla headed the ball into the net. Saalfrank collected the helper. Olla added his third score of the contest at the 83 minute mark, once again from Saalfrank. Rose recorded an unassisted goal with 5:36 on the clock to make the final score, 5-1.