MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Rowan University field hockey team defeated Montclair State University, 4-1 on Saturday night.  The Profs finish undefeated in the conference (6-0) for the top seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament.
 
Rowan is ranked fourth in Division III and has a 16-0 record.  The Red Hawks are 15-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference.  Montclair State is in the seventh spot in the national rankings.  The top four teams in the NJAC advance to the championship tournament.  The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 31 and the final is on Saturday, Nov. 3.
 
The Profs scored three straight goals in the second half.  Forward Krystyna Hovell (fr. Gibbsboro, NJ/Eastern Reg.) knocked in a rebound (38:00) after two saves.  Back Julie Johnson (sr. Mount Ephraim, NJ/Audubon) shot from the right side (51:28) from 10 yards and hit the left side of the cage.  Forward Rachel Galante (sr. Mount Laurel, NJ/Collingswood) scored less than seven minutes later.  Her goal was from 12 yards out.  It was her 23^rdon the season.    
 
For Rowan, goalie Morgan Novak (jr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) totaled 12 saves.  Montclair State goalie Nicole Andriani (jr. Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Reg.) made eight stops. The shots were close with the Profs taking 20 and the Red Hawks had 17.  Rowan edged Montclair State, 10-9 in penalty corners. 
 
Hovell put Rowan on the scoreboard first (15:04) with a reverse chip from inside to the far post.  Forward/midfielder Kelly Watson (jr. Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) tied the game for the Red Hawks.  Watson had a high tip-in with an assist from forward/midfielder Amber Haslett (sr. Butler, NJ/Butler).   
 
Rowan ends the regular season with two home games.  The field hockey team hosts Elizabethtown College on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. and FDU-Florham on Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m.