GLASSBORO, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | For the seventh time this season, the New Jersey City University men's soccer team took an opponent to the half scoreless but couldn't pull off a positive result. Regionally-ranked Rowan University scored four times in the second half, including two goals in a span of 2:25 in the middle of the period, in a 4-0 New Jersey Athletic Conference men's soccer game under the lights on October 24.
 
Rowan University (14-4, 5-3 NJAC) entered the game ranked No. 8 in the NCAA Division III/NSCAA South Atlantic Region—one of five NJAC squads ranked or receiving votes in the region. The Profs picked up three points to pull into a tie with Kean for third place in the league standings in a tight race between seven teams for six berths in the conference tournament. NJCU is 1-15 (0-8 NJAC, lost 13).
 
Rowan outshot NJCU, 23-1 and the Knights did not have a chance in the final 81 minutes. NJCU freshman goalkeeper John Riggs (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) made eight saves under consistent pressure.
 
Travis Ward netted a flawless hat trick for Rowan as he tallied his seventh, eighth and ninth goals of the season, with Shane Kohler assisting on the first two markers, giving him seven helpers in 2015.
 
The Profs outshot NJCU 8-1 in the first half and had all 15 shots in the second half. Rowan finally got on the board on its 12th shot of the game at the 54:42 mark when Kevin Pereira deflected home a free kick from Will Sjaastad for his fourth goal of the season. Sjaastad, who picked up his first assist, also hit the crossbar on a shot in the 64th minute.
 
The Profs put the game away with two goals in a span of 2:25 in the middle of the half as Ward began his run of three consecutive uninterrupted goals. At the 71:07 mark Kohler delivered a pass into the box and Ward directed it past the NJCU keeper. The two connected on a give-and-go at the 73:32 mark before Ward netted a shot into the left side. Ward added another at the 81:00 mark when he put away a volley from Steve Kim (first assist and point of season).
 
Ward had a game-high six shots with four on goal and Sjaastad put three of his five attempts on frame. Profs keeper Kyle Dennis played the first 81 minutes making one save before being relieved by Grant Kelly who preserved the host's eighth shutout of the season. Freshman Josuae Harvey-Steriti (Union City, NJ/Union City) made his second appearance in relief for NJCU and made one save in 8:59.
 
OF NOTE:

• 57th meeting. Rowan leads the all-time series, 38-15-4 and has won the last five meetings since 2011.
• NJCU has taken an opponent to the half scoreless seven times this season. However, the Knights have lost all seven of those games (9/4/2015 vs. John Jay, 9/12/15 vs. #1 Christopher Newport, 9/19/15 at NYU, 9/21/15 at Rutgers-Camden, 9/23/15 vs. #12 Montclair State, 10/7 at Stockton and 10/24 at Rowan).

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU will conclude its 57th season of men's soccer on Wednesday, October 28 (7 p.m.) under the lights at Pioneer Soccer Park in Wayne, NJ when the Knights visit William Paterson University. WP is 5-9-2 (1-6-1 NJAC). The Pioneers won last year's meeting (October 29, 2014 in Jersey City) by a 2-1 margin. It will be the 58th all-time meeting in a series the Pioneers lead 33-20-4 since the teams first met in 1959.