By Christine Houghton
Correspondent
Playing at home on Sept. 26, the women’s soccer team beat out Rutgers University-Camden in a high intensity game with a score of 2-0. On Saturday, Sept. 29, the College dominated William Paterson University 4-1.
Now falling to 4-5-1, Rutgers-Camden helped the Lions with a self goal in the 12th minute. After freshman forward/midfielder Nikki Butler sent a kick in from the left sideline, the ball was deflected by the opponent into its own goal.
While both teams had a lot of talent to show, the College prevailed against Rutgers-Camden. Previously dominant players for Rutgers-Camden were shut down completely, including a consistent forward who barely saw the ball during both halves.
The rain-soaked second half did not stop the Lions from putting up a point in the 57th minute through the efforts of senior midfielder Arielle Curtis. As the second half wore on, Rutgers-Camden seemed to get increasingly tired while the Lions continued to put up stats until the clock ran out.
In all, the Lions put up 23 shots in total with 11 shots on goal and two goals. Rutgers-Camden put up zeros in all three.
On a sunny afternoon for the Saturday contest against William Paterson, the scoring began just after kickoff.
In the 11th minute, Butler headed in a ball assisted by sophomore forward Randi Smith to put the College up 1-0. William Paterson immediately answered with another header about a minute later and the tie held into the second half.
Early in the second half, junior midfielder Taylor Nolan connected a shot off an assist by sophomore forward Julianna Bertolino. Shortly into the 51st minute, Butler kicked in yet another goal with the help of Smith to put the Lions up 3-1.
Scoring her first career goal, freshman midfielder/forward Lauren McLaughlin kicked in the Lions’ final goal in the 81st minute, making the game’s final score 4-1.
The team ended this game with four goals, 33 shots and 12 shots on goal. William Paterson fell to 4-7.
After both games, the College advanced to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in its conference.
The Lions play away at York College of Pennsylvania Wednesday, Oct. 3 and at home in Lion’s Stadium the following Saturday, Oct. 6 against Kean University. The team hopes to keep up its streak.
