GALLOWAY, N.J. – Sophia Mannino (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township) put on a masterclass this afternoon between the pipes, making a career-high 13 saves, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Quarterfinal against #4 Stockton University. The game ended in a 0-0 draw before heading to penalty kicks where NJCU would prevail 4-2 to advance to the NJAC Semifinal.

NJCU (6-4-8) upset #5 Stockton (10-6-3) in penalty kicks in an incredible showdown between the squads. The Gothic Knights, for the second season in a row, advance to the NJAC Semifinals. Also, for the first time in school history, the Gothic Knights overcame the Ospreys. Stockton held peppered the Gothic Knights all game long to the tune of 19 (13) shots while NJCU tallied 8 (6).

Stockton's relentless offense tested NJCU from the start, as Mannino was called into action within the first five minutes. In the 10th minute, Samantha Szymanski (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) fired NJCU's first shot on goal, forcing a save from Stockton's Megan Brady. Soon after, the Ospreys were awarded a penalty, but Mannino stonewalled the attempt, foreshadowing her penalty-kick prowess that would ultimately decide the game.

The second half played out similarly to the first, with the defense being the highlight of the game. Stockton's offense, however, turned the heat up and had a golden opportunity bounce off of the woodwork in the 75th minute. In the final moments of regulation, the Ospreys hit a flurry of four shots toward goal with three forcing saves from Mannino and one bouncing off of the bar. With one minute to go, Nyroahah Alvarenga nearly gave the Gothic Knights the win in regulation but Brady parried the shot to keep NJCU off of the scoreboard.

In the first extra time, neither team could create a quality opportunity on goal but in the second extra time, the Gothic Knights' Kim Brites (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) was issued a red card, dropping NJCU down to 10 players. Despite being down a player, the Gothic Knights forced penalty kicks setting the stage for a dramatic upset.

In penalties, Mannino made two saves giving her a total of three penalty kick saves in the game. The Gothic Knights went a perfect 4-for-4 in the shootout with Alvarenga, Jess Digristina (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee), Arias Martinez, and Szymanski all converting from the spot.

From Head Coach Anthony Tuesta:
"This was a redemption game for us. We felt that when we came here during the NJAC season, we did not execute our game plan and tonight we were able to execute and secure an important win. I'm extremely proud of the resilience and determination the team showed tonight"

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights move to the NJAC Semifinal against The College of New Jersey on Wednesday, November 6 at 6:00 p.m. in Ewing, NJ.

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