UNION, NJ – Midfielder Liz Fox scored two goals to lead the #10 Rowan University field hockey team over #9 Kean University, 4-2 in the semifinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament.
 
Rowan (15-3), the third seed, plays at the top seed The College of New Jersey (17-0) on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m. in the conference championship. In the other semifinal game, TCNJ shut out the fourth seed Stockton University, 4-0.  The NJAC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.   
 
The Profs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.  Fox scored at 12:33 from the right side of the cage after a pass from back Casey Wagner.  Forward Bridget Guinan shot from inside the top of the circle (13:24) after a penalty corner by forward Kristina Hovell.  
 
In the second period, Kean (18-3) got on the scoreboard (18:13) with a goal by forward/midfielder Melissa Way.  Forward Ja'Carra sent the ball to Way who tapped it into the the cage.  Midfielder Rachel Stone deflected midfielder Kristiina Castagnola's shot at 28:50 for a 3-1 advantage at the break.
 
Midfielder Jenna Patrone put the Cougars within one (46:07) when she redirected Way's shot.  Fox tapped in forward Alyssa Magliaro's blast with just under six minutes left.  Goalie Morgan Novak held off Kean with 11 saves in the second half.  She ended the game with 13 stops.  Kean totaled 21 shots while Rowan had 10.  
 
Last year, the Profs captured the NJAC Championship with wins over Stockton, 3-0 and TCNJ, 2-0.  Rowan has won the conference title seven times (2018, 2009, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2000 and 1998).  This is the ninth year for the NJAC Field Hockey Championship Tournament and all nine years the Profs have advanced to the conference postseason.