Box Score UNION, NJ – Rutgers University-Newark secured a winning season with a key 1-1 draw in New Jersey Athletic Conference play at Kean University in Alumni Stadium.
Junior midfielder
Sara Corson's opening goal in the 61
st minute was all that the Scarlet Raiders (10-5-2, NJAC 3-3-1) could muster against junior goalkeeper KC Nunez despite a 20-17 advantage in shots and a wide 11-6 edge in shots on goal.
The double-overtime tie leaves the Raiders in a fifth-place tie with the Cougars (9-5-1, NJAC 3-4-1). Rutgers-Newark has league matches remaining against Rutgers-Camden and at heavily-favored Montclair State to earn the first NJAC playoff berth in the 15-year history of the program. The top six teams in the 10-team conference will make the post-season championship.
Raider junior goalkeeper
Veronika Tueros notched three of her five saves in the extra periods against her former team. Nunez made nine of her 10 saves in regulation to thwart the Rutgers-Newark attack which controlled most of the action.
Corson netted her 13th goal of the season by putting away a deflected corner kick by junior midfielder
Cristina Estremera.
Kean senior forward Shelby Pedersen headed in a corner kick from freshman back Kelly Williamson to level the match at the 69-minute mark.
Sophomore forward
Paige Lazar put all three of her shots on goal to lead a Rutgers-Newark onslaught which challenged the Cougars but could not get past Nunez.
The Raiders guaranteed themselves a winning record with three matches left in the regular season.
Rutgers-Newark visits Drew University at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday for its final non-conference match before hosting Rutgers-Camden on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Alumni Field on Senior Night.
