EWING, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's soccer team faced arguably its toughest test of the season on Saturday, Oct. 21, on the road against New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opponent, #10-ranked The College of New Jersey. NJCU stayed with the highly-ranked Lions all match long, but ultimately suffered the 3-1 defeat.
Still in control of their own NJAC Tournament destiny, the Gothic Knights (6-6-4, 2-3-3 NJAC) entered the match riding a six-game unbeaten streak, during which they went 3-0-3. NJCU carried that momentum all the way through to the 60th minute, as they managed to keep TCNJ (12-2-1, 7-1 NJAC) off the board until that point. The Lions unfortunately broke through, scoring three over the next 15 minutes of play to go up 3-0 in the 75th.
However, in the 82nd minute, the Green and Gold accomplished something they have only done once before, and not since 2011 — coincidentally also the last season in which NJCU earned a spot in the six-team NJAC tournament — and that is score a goal against the Lions.
The Gothic Knights were awarded a free kick from 16 yards out and leading-scorer, sophomore midfielder
Nyrohah Alvarenga (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech) placed the ball perfectly, going bar-down off the cross bar and in for her fifth tally of the year to make it 3-1.
NJCU had a couple more chances in the waning minutes, but was unable to beat the Lions' keeper once more.
Up Next:
The Gothic Knights return to action for their regular-season finale on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 25, back on Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex against Rutgers-Newark. NJCU faces a likely win-and-in scenario against the Scarlet Raiders, with the possibility of hosting a first-round match likely to be on the line, as well — something never done in program history.
