New Jersey City University Athletics

 

WAYNE, NJ…William Paterson University broke open a tight 1-0 game with three goals in 3:41 and five goals over a span of 7:34, including a natural hat trick by senior forward Melissa Boka (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) as William Paterson University defeated New Jersey City University, 6-0, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both teams, at Pioneer Soccer Park.

 

With the win, WPU, which outshot NJCU 40-3, increases its record to 3-2 (1-0 NJAC) overall. The Pioneers have won three consecutive games. The Gothic Knights fall to 1-4 overall (0-1 NJAC). The Pioneers lead the all-time series, 11-0.

 

In defeat, junior goalkeeper ALEXIS CHISARI (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) made 15 saves. NJCU also collected two defensive team saves. Sophomore keeper Caitlin Kiernan (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) made one save for the shutout.

 

Each team played the final 57:21 of regulation 10-on-10 after a pair of red cards were accessed in the 33^rd minute.

 

While WPU had a 16-2 shot margin in the first half, it didn’t get on the board until the 36^th minute when senior defender Aly Salvacion (Lodi, NJ/Lodi) ripped a top-shelf shot from 25 yards out, off a feed from sophomore forward Samantha Flynn (Lindenwold, NJ/Lindenwold). WPU led 1-0 at the break.

 

The Pioneers owned a 24-1 shots advantage in the second period, but didn’t add to their lead until 65:29 when a cross from the right sideline by Boka allowed freshman midfielder Annie Willman (Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth) to one-time a shot inside the left post.

 

From there, Boka, who finished with seven points, scored the next three goals, to give her five on the season. At 67:42, she took a shot from the top of the box, which Chisari could not control on the goal line, and rolled in for a 3-0 lead. Boka added a tally 1:28 later, when her direct kick from the top of the box curved toward the left post and off Chisari, who dove to her right to try to reign in. Both goals were unassisted.

 

At 70:59, Boka made it 5-0, when a pass over the top of the defense from the WPU defensive zone by junior midfielder Amanda Fabiano (Clifton, NJ/Clifton) set up a 2-on-0 breakaway with the Gothic Knight keeper. Chisari attempted to cut off the play, before Boka tapped a shot in.

 

The Pioneers scored their final goal at 73:03. Sophomore forward Amanda Kurdyla (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) opened up freshman midfielder Brittany Fanelli (Mount Arlington, NJ/Roxbury) on the left wing. Her immediate shot was redirected inside the right post by Flynn for a 6-0 lead; Kurdyla and Fanelli each received assists on the play.

 

NJCU will return to action on Wednesday, September 20 at 4 p.m. when it hosts Ramapo College in an NJAC contest at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.