NEWARK, N.J. (October 14, 2017) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's soccer team suffered a 4-1 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) loss at the hands of Rowan University Saturday night on Alumni Field in Newark.
The Scarlet Raiders scored first and led at the half, but Rowan scored four unanswered goals – the equalizer coming on a penalty kick – to earn the triumph.
Rutgers-Newark drops to 8-8-0 overall and 2-5-0 in the NJAC. Rowan improves to 11-1-2 overall and 6-0-1 in league play. R-N will look to get back into the win column Wednesday night against non-conference rival Drew University. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. from Alumni Field.
The Scarlet Raiders played a splendid first half, limiting a strong Rowan squad and scoring the game's first goal on a beautifully executed corner in the 30th minute. Junior
Nicole Gomez lofted a perfect service to the back post and waiting for it was sophomore back Ine Collins who headed it into the left side of the goal for her second tally of the season. The assist was the fifth of the year for Gomez.
R-N's goal was the first Rowan had given up in more than 757 minutes of match time and was just the second NJAC goal scored against the Profs all year long.
The Scarlet Raiders took a 1-0 advantage into the intermission, but after the break Rowan took control.
Senior Melissa Kelly converted the PK 2:35 into the second and Rowan took the lead for good at 54:05 when senior Emily Daigle split the defense with a through-ball and junior Cathryn McCarry tallied her fourth of the season.
Kelly struck again at 58:37, deflecting in a free kick of the foot of sophomore Casey Lubonski, and senior Lauren Coletti put a wrap on the scoring with an unassisted tally at 72:31.
Rowan ended the match with a 16-4 margin in shots, a 12-1 edge in shots on target and a 3-2 lead in corner kicks.
Senior goalkeeper
Diana Carvalho made four saves in 65-plus minutes for Newark, and sophomore
Heidi Paulson played the remainder, making four saves as well. Carvalho took the loss for R-N, while junior Shelby Money pocketed the win.
After the team's non-conference tilt with Drew Wednesday night, Rutgers-Newark will have two NJAC matches to play. The Scarlet Raiders host Montclair State University on Senior Night Saturday, October 21, and they visit William Paterson University to close the season.
Want more Rutgers-Newark women's soccer? Follow @runwsoc and @scarletraiders on Instagram.
