NEWARK, NJ – Widener used a strong defensive first half to post a 4-1 win over Rutgers-Newark in the championship game of the Scarlet Raider Soccer Classic on Alumni Field.  St. Joseph's LI downed Medgar Evers, 4-0, in the other final round match.

SCARLET RAIDER SOCCER CLASSIC
Widener 4, Rutgers-Newark 1
St. Joseph's LI 4, Medgar Evers 0 

Senior defender Jessie Furia, who was named the tournament's most outstanding player, led a stifling Pride defense which limited the Scarlet Raiders (3-3-0) to just three shots in the opening half when Widener gained a 3-0 lead.

Senior forward Caryinna Yenchak notched three assists as four Pride players tallied goals before Raider rookie forward Michelle Gromashchuk closed out the scoring on a header off assists from senior forward Karen Johnson and freshman midfielder Alex Nata in the 59th minute.

Raider junior goalkeeper Kat Renteria made a dozen saves as Widener forged a 27-16 advantage in shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Vanessa Hejnas made four saves – two in each half – to get the victory.

Renteria was joined on the all-tournament team by juniors Jessica Gavilanes and Liana Abreu. 

In the nightcap, freshman midfielder Shanise Brown scored the game-winning goal and added an assist as St. Joseph's LI (2-3-1) earned a 4-0 win over Medgar Evers (1-4-0).

The Golden Eagles also got goals from freshman midfielder Erin Beach, freshman defender Kimberly Essig and senior forward Ashley Demeo while junior goalkeeper Michelle Gulino earned a shutout with three saves.

SCARLET RAIDER SOCCER CLASSIC
Team Champion: Widener University
Team Runnerup: Rutgers-Newark
MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Jessie Furia (Widener)
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: Jessie Furia (Widener), Brittany Harvis (Widener), Rachel Kyprianou (Widener), Brittany Balentine (Widener), Kat Renteria (R-N), Jessica Gavilanes (R-N), Liana Abreu (R-N), Ashley George (SJC), Samantha Garcia (SJC), Erin Beach (SJC), Sharkira Ho-Sang (MEC) and Giancarla Denegri.