By Joseph Caruso
Sports Editor
The College’s women's soccer team played two games this week to extend their undefeated streak to six games, defeating William Paterson and earning a draw against No. 11 Rowan, respectively.
After their senior night victory last week, the College was riding a four-game win streak heading into Saturday's matchup against William Paterson, who was just 1-5 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play prior to their game against the College.
Looking to build on their 7-4-4 record, the Lions jumped out early on the road, scoring two goals in the first half. Junior Taylor Bielan got the College started at the 10:55 mark, scoring her first goal of the season. Not much later, sophomore Maggie Murphy converted a chance to put the Lions ahead by multiple goals in the first 20 minutes of the game. It was Murphy’s second goal of the season.
The College went into halftime dominating the Pioneers in terms of shots on goal, and by the end of the game, they outshot William Paterson by a count of 23 to two.
Shortly after the halftime break, the Lions scored twice in the first ten minutes of the second half, with junior Caroline Freer scoring her first goal of the season at the 50:39 mark, shortly followed by junior Alyssa Alfano scoring for her ninth of the year. Alfano continued to bolster her amazing year, as she had two assists in the first half. Alfano is now 14th in the College’s history in assists with 20.
The 4-0 score would hold through the remainder of the game, as the Lions cruised to their fifth straight victory prior to their biggest matchup of the year.
On Wednesday, the College hosted No. 11-ranked Rowan in their final game of the year before the NJAC Tournament. Rowan boasts an undefeated record in NJAC play and is 13-1-1 overall, proving to be the toughest test yet for the Lions.
The College was not intimidated, however, with Alfano picking up right where she left off, scoring the game's opening goal just five minutes into the contest to vault the Lions ahead of Rowan.
The College kept the pressure on for the entire first half, outshooting the Profs 11-6 in the first half. Eventually, at the 37-minute mark, the College went up multiple goals when sophomore Lexi Caruso scored her second of the season to put the Lions ahead 2-0, as that score held into the halftime break.
Rowan flexed their muscles and proved their rank in the second half, outshooting and outscoring the College in the second half. The Profs split the lead in half when they scored less than 20 minutes into the final half, on a goal from senior Olivia Giordano.
Leading 2-1 with less than 10 minutes remaining, Rowan tied the game at two on a goal at the 81:34 mark, scored by Olivia Giordano’s twin sister, Julianna. The teams traded shots for the remainder of the matchup, but the score held at two, making it the fifth tie of the season for the College.
Although the Lions could taste the win against the undefeated Rowan, it was a super impressive showing nonetheless, showcasing that this recent hot streak from the College is for real, as they look to ride this momentum into the NJAC Tournament that begins Saturday, Nov. 1.
