ALLENTOWN, Pa. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Sophomore Mallensy Vargas (North Bergen, NJ/Memorial) missed the Gothic Knights' last game. She certainly made her presence felt in her return. Vargas, the 2016 New Jersey Athletic Conference co-Rookie of the Year, poured 15 shots at the Cedar Crest College net—the second most in a game in program history and the most ever in a road contest—and that pressure led to the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute as the New Jersey City University women's soccer team got in the win column for the first time this season with a 1-0 non-conference victory on September 12.
 
Vargas had 15 of NJCU's 29 shots and put eight attempts on goal as the Gothic Knights (1-4) outshot the host Falcons by a staggering 29-9 margin under the lights. She became the fourth player in school history to have 15 shots in a game and was just one shy of the single-game program record.
 
Despite the blitz by Vargas, the game remained scoreless in the 73rd minute, thanks in part to the play of Cedar Crest (3-2-0) junior keeper Morgan Maddock (Brick, N.J.), who made 14 saves. But the constant pressure was too much and Maddock was called for a foul, coming out to challenge a breakaway by Vargas.
 
Vargas was granted a penalty kick, finishing her second goal of the season into the right side at the 72:58 mark.
 
NJCU had all 10 shots in a scoreless first half and a 19-9 edge in the second half. Junior midfielder Katherin Merino (Harrison, NJ/Harrison) had six shots for NJCU with four on frame. Junior goalkeeper Dominique Jackson (Bayonne, NJ/Bayonne) made two saves for her first shutout as a Gothic Knight.
 
QUOTABLE KNIGHTS:
Head Coach Anthony Tuesta on the win: "Defensively, we finished strong. I think the team played well today and created chances. We need to be calmer, finishing games. The team deserved to win today and did."
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: NJCU leads all-time, 2-0-1.
• Most shots in a game in NJCU women's soccer history:
  • 16, Jennifer Albuja, Keystone College, 10/01/2007
  • 16, Katlin Vargo, Staten Island, 10/21/2009
  • 15, Mallensy Vargas (North Bergen, NJ/Memorial), at Cedar Crest College, 09/12/2017
  • 15, Jacque-Lyn Johnson, Medgar Evers College, 09/08/2014
  • 15, Jennifer Albuja, Medgar Evers, 09/06/2008
  • 15, Jennifer Albuja, Medgar Evers, 09/13/2008

 
UP NEXT:

• NJCU plays its fourth straight road game and heads to Pennsylvania for the second straight day when it meets Bryn Athyn College on Wednesday, September 13 at 7 p.m. in Bryn Athyn, Pa. It will be the first meeting between the programs.

 
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