The women’s soccer team continued its victory march through the New Jersey Athletic Conference this week with lopsided victories over Rutgers University-Camden and Rutgers University-Newark. The Lions currently sit tied atop the NJAC with Kean University, who are also unbeaten in conference play.
In standings released on Thursday Sept. 27, the team is ranked 16th in the national poll released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America on September 27. They are also ranked third by the NSCAA in the South Atlantic Regional Rankings.
The team won their sixth game in a row on Wednesday, beating the Rutgers-Camden Scarlet Raptors decisively with a final score of 4-0. The overmatched Raptors were kept off of the scoreboard, making this the sixth consecutive shutout for the College’s stifling defense.
The first goal of the game was scored at the 11-minute mark by NJAC Defensive Player of the Week Nikki Migliori on a free kick. At halftime, the score sat at 1-0.
“We picked up the intensity a lot in the second half,” junior midfielder Kyra Janeczek said. “It was like a new game.”
The Lions scored in bunches in the second half and broke the game wide open. Only four minutes into the second half, senior midfielder Brittany McGinley scored to broaden the College’s lead. The Lions clinched the game with late goals from freshman forward Gina Caprara and junior forward Jess Davila, making the final count 4-0.
Freshman goalkeeper Cristina Gacos continued her impressive streak of clean sheets, bringing her total number of shutouts to five.
The ladies laced up their cleats again on Saturday against the Scarlet Raiders of Rutgers University-Newark. McGinley scored 14 minutes into the first half and the Lions didn’t look back, scoring two more goals within the next five minutes. Sophomore midfielder Sloan DePiero scored her first goal of the season, and Brittany McGinley scored her second of the game.
The Lions came into the second half with a three-goal lead. They maintained control of the game, working the ball around and passing it between the Rutgers University-Camden players.
Rounding out the scoring on the day, junior forward Allyson Anderson scored on a pass from Jess Davila, who later scored her second goal in as many games.
“I’ve been given good passes right at my feet, which makes it easier to set up for a shot and score,” Davila said. “It really makes it easier to put the ball in the net.”
The Lions finished the game by beating the Scarlet Raiders with five unanswered goals.
The team faces stiffer competition this Wednesday night against 5-4 Gettysburg College and will play in the friendly confines of Lions Stadium.
