GLASSBORO, NJ – Vanessa DiDonato scored a career-high four goals to lead top-seeded and third-ranked Rowan to a 6-1 win over fourth-seeded Montclair State in the Semifinals of the 2022 NJAC Championship. The Profs will now go for their second consecutive conference title on Saturday, November 5, when they host second-seeded TCNJ at 6 p.m. at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.
 
It marked DiDonato's third career game with three or more goals and it was the most goals in one game by any Prof this season.
 
Rowan (18-1) jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back. Julia Patrone scored just two minutes into the game when she carried the ball into the circle, went around defenders, scoring from five yards out. Freshman Sidney Pavlishin added the next goal as she collected her own rebound and put it in from close range before DiDonato scored her first of the game with a 15-yard blast at 12:18 to give Rowan a 3-0 lead.
 
Rowan went scoreless in the second quarter, but the third quarter belonged to DiDonato as she notched all three goals. Julia Cavicchio set up the first on a corner as she sent a shot towards goal that DiDonato deflected out of the air and into the cage.
 
The sophomore built the score to 5-0 after she scored on a rebound of her own shot and then added her fourth goal when she carried it just inside the circle and connected on a line drive blast into the cage.
 
Montclair State (10-9) ruined goalkeeper Abby Hainsworth's shutout bid when Gab Maisto knocked in a loose ball at 56:08 to give the Red Hawks' their lone goal.
 
Hainsworth made one save on the evening while Rowan held a decisive 27-2 edge in shots.
 
It will be Rowan's fourth straight appearance in the conference championship game as the Profs won titles in 2018 and 2021.
 
Tickets for the NJAC Championship will be on sale at the Wackar Stadium gate, at $5 for adults and $2 for children, students and senior citizens. The first 100 Rowan students with ID will be admitted free of charge.