NEWARK, NJ…Sophomore keeper
KELLY REILLY (Pennsville, NJ/Pennsville Memorial) made nine saves while facing 14 shots, and freshman forward
NICOLE SARICA (Linden, NJ/Linden) scored the only goal of the game off a perfect corner kick from sophomore striker
JENNIFER ALBUJA (Union City, NJ/Hoboken) in the 88
th minute as
New Jersey City University defeated College of Staten Island, 1-0, in the opening game of the Scarlet Raiders Women's Soccer Classic, hosted by Rutgers-Newark at Alumni Field.
NJCU opens a season at 2-0 for the second consecutive year—the only two times it has occurred in program history—and takes a 3-1 lead in the all-time series against Staten Island. It was the season opener for the Dolphins (0-1).
Of the 34 shutouts in program history, Reilly, NJCU's all-time leader in the category, is responsible for eight of them.
“Today was one of the best three games I've seen her play as part of the program,” said third-year head coach
ROBERT BIELAN. “She knew when to come out and when to stay in. Everything a keeper is instinctively supposed to do, she did today. Last year she thought a lot more, while this year she trusts her instincts, and that's bringing her game to the next level.”
NJCU, which had a 6-5 edge in corner kicks—with all six chances coming in the final 25 minutes—scored the only goal of the game at 87:12. Albuja lofted a perfectly-placed corner kick from the left endline, over both the opposing keeper and defenders, onto the right side of the box where Sarica calmly collected the pass and banged home the uncontested shot. It was Sarica's second goal of the year and her first career game-winner, while Albuja chalked up her first assist.
NJCU's best other scoring opportunity was in the first half when Albuja struck a shot off the crossbar at 21:25. Albuja had six shots—three on target—while all three of Sarica's attempts were on goal.
Meanwhile, Staten Island's two best chances came on breakaways by CSI senior Fiosa Begai (Staten Island, NY/Wagner) in the first half. But each time, Reilly stuffed her, cutting off the angle while smothering the shots.
“Reilly is our starting goalie for a reason,” Bielan added. “She is consistent, stronger than she was last year, and she is starting to become the leader I know she is on the field. The team responds well to her when she is in net and it gives them a mental edge knowing someone of her skill level is behind them.”
Both teams attempted eight shots in the first half and all of the chances by the Dolphins were on goal. Reilly stopped seven consecutive shots to open the contest. CSI put 9-of-11 and 10-of-13 on net, but could not beat her. The Knights also had one team save in the first half. NJCU outshot CSI, 15-14.
In defeat, CSI junior keeper Kristie Stapleton (Staten Island, NY/St. John Villa) also played very well, making six saves.
NJCU will seek to remain unbeaten when it concludes play in the tournament on Saturday, September 6 at 5:30 p.m. against Medgar Evers College. Any changes to the schedule caused by Tropical Storm Hanna will be posted on the NJCU athletics website.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
