VALHALLA, NY (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | It took more than 108 minutes to decide but when the end came it was a pair of New Jersey City University women's soccer captains—one a goalkeeper, one a center midfielder—teaming up on some golden goal magic. Three-time All-New Jersey Athletic Conference goalkeeper Brittany Hoffman (McMurray, PA/Peters Township) unleashed a long clear upfield that set junior center midfielder Amanda Filippone (Kenilworth, NJ/David Brearley) in on a game-winning breakaway with just 1:58 remaining in double overtime as NJCU outlasted Sarah Lawrence College, 1-0, in a non-conference game under the lights at Valhalla High School on September 17.
 
NJCU (3-1-1), facing the Gryphons (2-2-0) for the first time in its history, dominated possession in the game, outshooting the hosts 25-4—a 10-1 margin in the first half, 11-2 in the second and 4-1 in the two overtime periods. NJCU also had a decisive 12-0 differential in corner kicks. All that was missing was one goal—any goal—to prevent SLC from stealing a draw,
 

That moment came at the 108:02 mark. After Hoffman's long clear sent Filippone in with SLC keeper Noelle Clark in a 1-on-1, the game was for all intents and purposes over. Filippone nicely finished a shot from 15 yards into the bottom right corner for her fourth goal and ninth point of the season and her second game-winner this year. She upped her career scoring total to eight goals and 23 points in 36 games.
 
The assist for Hoffman is the third of her career, including an NCAA record-tying two in one game in 2012, and she set aside four shots to notch her 11^th career shutout and 23^rd victory. The three career helpers are also believed to be an all-time NCAA Division III record for a collegiate soccer goalkeeper.
 
"I was going to just clear the ball but then the field opened up and the ball fell in the right place," Hoffman noted, describing the play. "I knew she was going to have a chance and she capitalized with a nicely placed shot to end the game. We played a fantastic game all over the field and to finish overtime with a win was well worth the work put in."
 
Filippone added: "It was amazing. I saw Brit was getting ready to send the ball long so I got ready and prepared for what was coming my way. Running onto the ball I knew it was just me and thegoalie so I placed it and took the shot. Credit to the coaches because they moved me from playing center mid the entire game to forward in the last few minutes. We stayed composed as a team and fought till the end."
 Filippone finished with seven shots (three on goal) while reigning NJAC Rookie of the Week, forward Lauren Bustamante (Rockaway, NJ/Butler) and junior forward Orphise Saint Jean (Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth) each took five shots, combining for five on goal. 
Meanwhile, the NJCU backline of junior Cassie Lubonski (Edison, NJ/Edison), sophomore Jubeth Buitrago (Secaucus, NJ/Secaucus), and freshmen Claudia Gomez (Union City, NJ/Union City) and Catarina Teodosio (Newark, NJ/East Side) smothered SLC's attack as the Gothic Knights collected their third shutout of the season.
 
"It's a rewarding win," said second-year head coach Mike Vivino. "We did everything well for 105+ minutes except put the ball in the net. The girls definitely deserve the win. It's nice to see hard work finally pay off with a good result and it's a positive note to move forward with."
 
Addie Rosenberg started for SLC and made five saves in the first half. Clark played the second half and both overtimes and stopped six more shots before having no chance on the winner.
 
NJCU had numerous solid scoring chances in regulation. In the first half, Filippone just missed wide on a shot in the 14^th minute and Saint Jean put a quality chance on goal in the 31^st. Bustamante had two solid opportunities in the 59^th and 64^th minutes.
 
NJCU will open its 2014 NJAC schedule on Saturday, September 20 in an early 11 a.m. start when it squares off with powerhouse and #15/16 ranked Montclair State University (5-1) at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.