MONTCLAIR, NJ -
C.J. Norton made the final save in the round of penalty kicks to give #13 Rowan its third consecutive NJAC Men's Soccer Championship over #9 Montclair State. The Profs won the shootout, 5-4, after the teams played through a 2-2 double overtime draw in a classic match.
Rowan (13-1-4) becomes the first NJAC team to win three in a row since 2013, when Rutgers-Camden achieved the feat. The conference title is also the fourth in five years for Rowan and marks the 17th in program history.
A pair of unlikely heroes helped Rowan to victory. Head coach
Scott Baker put in Norton, the reserve goalkeeper, for the round of penalty kicks. The 6-5 sophomore had only seen action in three matches this year but answered the call, and his stop on Montclair State's sixth shot secured the championship. Baker also inserted reserve
Franck Onguene into the shootout and the senior, who saw limited action in five matches, converted the winning PK.
"This is a big win that took everyone (to accomplish). So many guys stepped up in so many ways," said Baker. "We talked about a quote - 'if you want to go fast go alone; if you want to go far, go with everyone'. That's what we did tonight. Guys like CJ and Franck stepped up and made it possible. I couldn't be happier for the guys and am grateful to be part of another championship."
In regulation, Rowan trailed, 2-1, in the first half. It wasn't until the 68th minute that the Profs got the equalizer when
Carill Asanji scored on a high shot, with the assist from
Dani Fluck-Lozano. It was the just the second goal of the season for the senior tri-captain.
Montclair State struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute. Rowan tied the match in the 23rd minute when
DJ Mosley fed
Tanner Grozinski and he turned and sent a shot into the left side of the goal from just under 18 yards out. That tie was short-lived, however, as MSU regained the 2-1 lead in the 25th minute.
Rowan will now await the announcement of the NCAA Championship bracket, which will take place on Monday at 11 a.m. on NCAA.com.
