JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Junior midfielder Amanda Filippone (Kenilworth, NJ/David Brearley) scored a game-tying goal in the 54^th minute off a sensational free kick from sophomore back Jubeth Buitrago (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus) and three-time All-New Jersey Athletic Conference goalkeeper Brittany Hoffman (McMurray, PA/Peters Township) made 15 saves to force overtime before Ramapo College scored a game-winning golden goal at 94:31 of the first extra session to survive for a 2-1 NJAC win over New Jersey City University on October 15 at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.
 
Both Ramapo goals were scored by freshman midfielder Alexus Fuentes (Woodbridge, NJ/Woodbridge) off the bench; she originally put the Roadrunners on the board with a tally in the 28^th minute.
 
NJCU was able to force its fourth overtime game of the season despite being outshot, 31-3—12-1 in the first half, 15-2 in the second and 4-0 in overtime. All three tallies in the game were scored in the south (bayside) goal.
 
Ramapo (4-7-2, 2-4 NJAC) held a 7-2 margin in corner kicks and was whistled for 10 offsides. NJCU (3-7-2, 0-6-0 NJAC) snapped a four-game shutout streak, scoring for the first time since a 1-1 tie on September 25—a scoreless minutes streak of 485:44. It was NJCU's fifth straight loss; the Knights are winless in their last seven contests (0-6-1).
 
In defeat, Hoffman made five saves in the first half and 10 in the second (none in overtime). She recorded double digits in saves for the 25^th time in her career and fifth time this season and made several game-saving stops, throwing her body in front of uncontested shots otherwise destined for the goal.
 
Perhaps her biggest stop came with 38 seconds left in regulation as she slid at the top of the box to smother a 1-on-1 shot with Ramapo freshman forward Gabriella DiLiberto (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick).
 
DiLiberto, who finished with a game-high 12 shots—seven on goal—would set up the game-winning goal in the 95^th minute. She dribbled to the right near corner and sent a cross into the box which Fuentes one-timed past a defender and Hoffman and into the right side of the net to win it. The goal was Fuentes' second of the game and fourth of the season and the fourth assist for DiLiberto.
 
NJCU had tied it at the 53:37 mark. After a foul along the sideline, Buitrago lofted a perfect free kick from 35 yards into the box to a wide-open, unmarked Filippone, who easily tapped it past Ramapo rookie keeper Jessica Cusick (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley). The goal was Filippone's fifth of the season and the second assist for Buitrago.
 
Ramapo, which led 1-0 at the half, got on the board at 27:48. Sophomore midfielder Kelsey Sutherland (Edison, NJ/Edison) took a pass in the midfield circle and right-flicked a pass onto the far left wing, onto the feet of Fuentes, who entered the game as a substitution less than three minutes earlier. She dribbled another 15 yards and hit a left-footed shot past Hoffman from eight yards in a 1-on-1.
 

QUOTABLE GOTHICS:
Head Coach Michael Vivino (second season):
 
"It was a frustrating result. I thought we played well for a good amount of time. We started sloppy but settled in and did some positive things. Any overtime loss is heartbreaking but that's the game and now we need to prepare for Saturday."
 
Senior goalkeeper Brittany Hoffman:
 
"Talk about a tough one. We pushed and pushed but having a short bench really does hurt us. I couldn't have asked for much more from the girls. We played a hard, well-fought game. I couldn't be more proud of them. We have girls who are banged up and played through the pain; true team players."
 
Junior midfielder Amanda Filippone:
 
"We played hard and didn't give up. We worked as a team and when the game could have gotten wild we kept our composure and played our hearts out. Even though the outcome didn't go our way, I am proud of my team." 
"It felt great to score on our home field. It was an amazing rush. Jubeth played the ball perfectly and all I did was get a small touch on the ball for the goal. Brittany did amazing in goal as always. She always gives 110 percent and is one amazing goalie."
 
OF NOTE:

• Ramapo leads the all-time series, 17-4-1.
• NJCU is 7-13-12 in 32 overtime games in program history.
• NJCU is 1-1-2 in overtime this season, losing for the first time.
• Brittany Hoffman upped her career saves total to 557.
• The goal by Filippone was NJCU's first run-of-play tally since Filippone scored a golden goal against Sarah Lawrence on September 17—a span of 703:37.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Gothic Knights head to Galloway, NJ on October 18 for a 5 p.m. contest at Richard Stockton College. NJCU's final home game will be on Wednesday, October 22 at 7 p.m. against Yeshiva University. That non-conference tilt will be played at Jersey City's Caven Point Athletic Complex.