NEWARK, N.J. (October 10, 2018) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's soccer team used a second half surge to defeat visiting William Paterson University tonight in a New Jersey Athletic Conference matchup on Frederick Douglass Field, 3-1. The Scarlet Raiders improve to 6-6-2 (2-4-0 NJAC) while the Pioneers fall to 5-9-0 (1-5-0 NJAC).
Following a scoreless first half, the two side had an eventful second period. R-N got on the board first, scoring the opener at 65:44. After a quick throw-in, sophomore
Samantha Richter beat her defender down the right wing before playing a pass into the box. Just outside the six, classmate
Melanie Egas was able to collect the ball with her back to goal, turn, and fire a shot past a defender and the goalie into the left-side netting.
Still, WPU would find an equalizer only 16 seconds later. At exactly 66:00, Corrine Bowe created mayhem in the 18 after a long pass from the restart. Although her initial attempt was blocked, Bowe reacted first to the bouncing ball and was true on her second bid, sneaking her shot past two defenders and the keeper to even the match at 1-1.
However, the Raiders, who had largely controlled possession and the pace of the contest, would not be denied. Late in the 78th minute, junior
Deirdre Mackin made a run down the left wing before firing a cross just outside the goalie box. Richter played a role once more, corralling the cross before tapping the ball over to junior
Shayna Bohus who made no mistake with her opportunity, smashing a one-time strike into the goal for the game-winner.
Rutgers-Newark sealed the match with an insurance tally in the 84th. Another run down the left wing produced a cross that was first met by a Pioneer defender. Unfortunately, her header wound up falling to senior Julianna Ceballos who took the chance beautifully and headed her shot into the right-side of the net to make it 3-1.
"Proud of our players for digging deep and coming out with a stronger performance in the second half." said Head Coach
Ariana Ruela, "This was a key game for us and our ability to stand our ground defensively while taking advantage of our changes in front of net allowed us to achieve the result we need."
The Scarlet Raiders were led by two points from Richter on her pair of assists while Mackin chipped in with a helper of her own. Ceballos added her team-leading eighth goal, Bohus netted her fourth of the season and is now tied for best on the squad with two game-winners. Egas contributed her second of the campaign.
Junior netminder
Heidi Paulson made three saves to secure the win and her first shutout of the year. Erica Hickey suffered the loss while making two stops.
William Paterson outshot the hosts for the game 15-11 although Rutgers-Newark had a slight 5-4 edge in attempts on target and doubled up the visitors on corner kicks, 6-3.
The Raiders continue their NJAC slate on Saturday when they head to Rowan for an 11 a.m. contest.
