JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | New Jersey City University (3-3-0, 0-1-0 NJAC) saw plenty of opportunities in a wide open, back-and-forth affair on September 15 at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field, but Ramapo (2-4-0, 1-0-0 NJAC) prevailed by a final score of 2-0 in what was the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
 
In a match at which several members of NJCU women's soccer teams and student-athletes of the past were honored at halftime on Alumni Day 2018, the Knights couldn't quite put the finishing touches on any of their 17 shots, only four of which were on target.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Cidney Lee-Sam (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) was the standout for the Knights on the afternoon, making 12 saves, several of which denied golden opportunities for the Roadrunners. Ramapo put 16 of its 23 shots on net.
 
 Junior forward Mallensy Vargas (North Bergen, NJ/Memorial) tallied a game-high 10 shots, but the Roadrunner defense were throwing bodies in front of her all day, leading to only one of those shots needing a save from the Ramapo keeper, junior Elizabeth Harvell (Hamilton, N.J.).
 
The Knights began the game probing the Roadrunner backline, but the majority of their through balls did not find their mark or went just long. On the defensive side of things, Lee-Sam was aggressive coming out of her net, playing an effective sweeper keeper, as the game stayed tied at 0-0.
 
The pressure continued to build on both ends, as junior forward Rosa Bonilla (Roselle Park, NJ/Roselle Park) had a particularly nice chance, making a move to get past her defender and get in on goal, but one extra touch allowed the goalie to come out and snuff out the opportunity.
 
Just seconds later, it was the NJCU goalie under pressure, as Ramapo forward Kaelyn Angelucci (Hamilton, N.J.) fired point-blank from inside the six, but Lee-Sam was up to the task, making a strong save to keep the game scoreless.
 
Vargas had the best chance for the Knights in the latter stages of the first half, taking a direct free kick in the 32nd minute that went just over the crossbar.
 
The match had been boiling to a goal for a while, and the pressure finally spilled over in the 40th minute when freshman winger Cammi Plage (Red Bank, N.J.) sent a ball in front the right flank, a spot that Roadrunners had been attacking all game, and this time reserve midfielder Erika Signorile (Sayreville, N.J.) was on the end of the cross, finding the back of the net to put Ramapo ahead 1-0.
 
The second half started with an immediate test for Lee-Sam, who once again proved up to the task, making a diving, one-handed tip save to keep the difference at one.
 
From there, it was a matter of NJCU getting great looks, but not quite being able to put the finishing touches on. In the 71st minute, senior defender Daniela Betancourt (Secaucus, NJ/Memorial) made a weaving run through the Ramapo defense, getting all the way to the opposing penalty box before flashing a shot wide of net. Vargas was, as always, on the leading end of several attacks for NJCU, but many ended in blocked shots, or saves for Harvell, who had four saves on the day in her second shutout win of the season.
 
The Roadrunners did a good job attacking the Knights on the counter all game, and it was just in that manner that they doubled their lead in the 67th minute. Senior defender Jessica Raccioppi (Maywood N.J.) sent a ball in front the right corner that Angelucci was able to flick over the head of Lee-Sam on her first touch to put Ramapo up 2-0.
 
The Knights continued to threaten in the game's final minutes, but neither side tacked on another goal.
 
OF NOTE:

• Series: Ramapo leads 20-5-1.
• Shots: Ramapo, 23-17.
• This was the second time the Knights have been shutout in 2018, and the first such time since their season opener against FDU-Florham.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Knights get a brief respite from their NJAC schedule, as Lehman College (2-0-1) visits the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field on Monday, September 17 at 4:00 p.m. in non-conference action

 
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