MADISON, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's soccer team competed in it's first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament since 2011 this evening, Saturday, Nov. 11, against #1 seed Hartford University on the campus of FDU-Florham. The Gothic Knights also clinched a spot in the six-team 2023 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament for the first time since 2011 in late October, where they wrote more history by defeating #5 seed Rutgers-Camden for the first postseason victory in program history. The Green and Gold were looking for their second postseason win in 2023 in the team's second semifinal of the year, but ultimately fell short to a tough Hawks side, 7-2.
NJCU (8-8-4) fell behind 2-0 to Hartford (15-2) early in the first half. Just a few minutes after the Hawks' second goal, sophomore midfielder
Nyrohah Alvarenga (North Bergen, N.J., High Tech) found her opportunity off a Hartford error and finished her chance to score her sixth goal of the campaign and cut the deficit before halftime.
The Hawks regained control of the match after the interval by scoring four unanswered goals and would not forgo the lead for the remainder of the match. Sophomore forward
Ari Flores-Ortiz (Little Falls, N.J., Passaic Valley Regional) found the back of the net in the 82nd minute for her fourth goal of the year.
The Gothic Knights finish the campaign at .500 for the first time since 2011 at an 8-8-4 overall record, including a 3-3-3 mark in regular-season New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play. The Green Gold's historic run was fueled by a 5-2-3 record in the month of October. After a historic regular-season and postseason finish within the NJAC, the Green and Gold were rewarded with an outstanding haul among the the All-Conference awards including Goalkeeper of the Year, Coaching Staff of the Year and four All-NJAC selections.
Additionally, the ECAC selected an All-Tournament team on Sunday evening, Nov. 12, at the completion of the championship. Both Alvarena and sophomore keeper
Sophia Mannino (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township) were selected from NJCU.
