VIRGINIA BEACH, VA -- Rowan scored four goals in the first half including three in the game's first 25 minutes as the Profs took down Methodist, 5-1, in a first-round game of the 2022 NCAA Division III Tournament on Saturday morning. The game was contested at Virginia Wesleyan.

Rowan will move on to face the host Marlins tomorrow at 1 p.m. in a second round matchup. Virginia Wesleyan defeated Puget Sound, 3-0, in Saturday's other first-round matchup.

Olivia Giordano scored twice for the Profs (14-0-4), who also got goals from Nina Carlson, Emma DeMaise, and Gabby Dean.

DeMaise made it 1-0 just 1:53 into the contest as her header off a free kick just outside the box was her second of the year. Giordano tallied her first of the day in the 14th minute while Carlson added another score less than a minute later.

Goalie Calista Burke made two stops as Rowan advances to the second round for the first time since the 2015.

Corrine Shovlain netted the lone goal for Methodist. Carolina Simpkins recorded five saves in net for the Monarchs.