The College’s women’s soccer team was able to bounce back after suffering its first loss of the season to roll to victory at Rutgers-Newark University on Friday, September 19. The 13th-ranked Lions coasted to a 3-0 win behind a strong defensive effort with timely scoring. The game marked the beginning of crucial New Jersey Athletic Conference play for the team.
Sophomore Christine Levering continued to do what she does best — netting two goals and adding an assist, leading the team to victory. Levering, last year’s NJAC Rookie of the Year, and last year’s leading scorer, scored just 17:55 into the game on a cross from fellow sophomore Brianna Petro.
Five minutes later, senior Korrie Harkins scored her second goal of the season on a pass from Levering to extend the Lions’ lead.
Levering was not done, though. She later tacked on an insurance goal in the second half off of a header on a corner kick from senior defender Jordan Downs for her fourth goal of the season.
Downs and company did their part defensively. The Lions again allowed only one shot on goal in the contest. It was the third time this season that the team has allowed one shot on goal or less.
Senior goalkeeper Kendra Griffith stopped the one shot that came her way en route to her third solo shutout of the season. Griffith has also recorded two combined shutouts with senior Tara Fisher. All five of the College’s wins this season have been shutouts.
This week, the Lions will play their first home games in two weeks. Fairleigh-Dickinson University will visit campus on Tuesday, September 23. Later in the week, Kean University will look to tame the Lions attack in a tough conference matchup, while the College looks to maintain their undefeated home record.
“I think we just have to come into every game with the mentality that no team is going to roll over for us,” said Levering. “We have to come out with a lot of energy, play like we’re capable of playing and score as early and often as we can.”
