THROGGS NECK, N.Y. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Freshman midfielder Mallensy Vargas (North Bergen, N.J./Memorial) generated a natural hat trick, with goals in the 17th, 20th and 43rd minutes and freshman forward Liliana Ventura (West New York, N.J./Memorial) scored twice with one assist as the New Jersey City University women's soccer team breezed past Maritime College (NY), 6-0, in a non-conference game on September 14. The Gothic Knights outshot the Privateers a staggering 25-0.
 
NJCU won its third straight and posted its third shutout of the season to improve to 3-1-1 overall. Opponents have been limited to one goal or less in four of NJCU's first five outings under new head coach Anthony Tuesta. NJCU had a 17-0 advantage in shots in the first half when it led 5-0 after 45 minutes. Maritime fell to 3-4-0 with the loss. The Knights saw 22 different players play double-digit minutes in the rout.
 
With the outcome clear, the game was called after 70 minutes when it became official due to a 62-minute lightning delay that began with 16:20 remaining in the first half.
 
Vargas, who had her first multi-goal game on September 10, scored her fourth, fifth and sixth goals of the season—all coming in the last week. Her first two goals were separated by a span of just 2:17 of playing time.
 
Ventura scored the fifth and sixth goals in the game—both unassisted—for her second and third markers of the season. Her first goal, from distance in the 44th minute, came just 1:14 after Vargas completed her hat trick on an assist from Ventura.  
 
Sophomore forward Lexi Capote (Leonia, NJ/Leonia) claimed the game-winning goal when she scored just 2:17 into the game off a cross from junior Alicia Umanzor (Morristown, NJ/Morristown). Junior back Catarina Teodosio (Newark, NJ/East Side) also chalked up an assist on the game's third goal.
 
Vargas had six shots (three on goal), Ventura tried five shots (three on goal) and sophomore forward Katherin Merino (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) put half of her four attempts on frame.
 
Junior goalkeeper Paula Viana (Elizabeth, N.J./Hamilton Prep Academy) was unchallenged by the Privateers in notching the shutout.
 
The NJCU defense of senior Jubeth Buitrago (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus), Teodosio, juniors Claudia Gomez (Union City, NJ/Union City) and Lexi Mescavage (Bayonne, N.J./Saint Dominic Academy) and sophomore Daniela Betancourt (West New York, N.J./Memorial) started the game and set the tone for the opponents not having a scoring chance all afternoon.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: NJCU leads, 3-0-0 (23-0 goals differential).
• First meeting since September 16, 2008.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
NJCU is idle until Wednesday, September 21 when it opens New Jersey Athletic Conference play in Glassboro, N.J. (4 p.m.) against No. 11/23 Rowan University in the first of consecutive games with nationally-ranked opponents.