JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women's soccer team battled hard but ultimately fell short in a closely contested New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup against nationally ranked No. 18 Rowan University. The Gothic Knights dropped the match 1-0 on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field, located at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.

The loss moves NJCU to 6-4 overall and 0-2 in NJAC play, while Rowan improves to 7-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference. Despite the final scoreline, NJCU matched up well against one of the nation's top teams, holding a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal, even though they were outshot 12-9 overall.

Senior goalkeeper Sophia Mannino (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township) anchored the back line for NJCU, playing all 90 minutes between the posts and recording four saves. On the other end, Rowan's Leah Edinger was tested repeatedly and answered with seven saves to preserve the clean sheet. The Profs edged NJCU in corners (5-3) and committed fewer fouls (9) than the Gothic Knights (12) in a physical battle that saw three yellow cards issued — two against Rowan and one to NJCU.

The match began with early pressure from Rowan, who forced Mannino into action in the 20th minute with her first save of the day. NJCU responded with quality chances of their own. Senior Nyrohah Alvarenga (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech) fired two on-target shots in the first half — the first in the 27th minute and the second in the 34th — but both attempts were denied by Edinger. The two teams entered halftime deadlocked at 0-0.

In the early stages of the second half, Rowan came out strong, forcing another save from Mannino within the first two minutes. However, NJCU countered quickly, registering back-to-back shots in the 55th minute that tested Edinger once again. As tensions rose, so did the intensity. Rowan received two yellow cards in quick succession — in the 65th and 67th minutes — but that didn't slow their attack. The Profs responded with a flurry of offense, generating three shots in a three-minute span, including two more saves by Mannino and a strike that hit the left post.

Despite the setback, the Gothic Knights remained resilient. Freshman Isabella Ramirez (Elmwood Park, N.J./Elmwood Park Memorial) and sophomore Kyanah-Belle Jean-Louis (Montreal, Canada/Washington Township (N.J.)) both tested Edinger with shots in the 75th and 76th minutes, but neither found the back of the net. The deciding moment came in the 80th minute when a foul inside the NJCU penalty area awarded Rowan a penalty. Giordano stepped up and buried the shot for the game's lone goal, giving the Profs a late lead that they would not relinquish.

Seven NJCU players — including Mannino, Ramirez, Gineth Arias Martinez (Soacha Cundinamarca, Colombia/Institución Educativa Leon XII), Aubrey Gulbin (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood), Natalia Jaramillo (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield), Gabriella Sharpe (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne), and Jean-Louis — played the full 90 minutes. Ramirez and Alvarenga led the Gothic Knights in shots on goal with two apiece.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to the pitch on Friday, Oct. 3, when they travel to Brooklyn College for a non-conference matchup scheduled for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff.

For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University athletics, visit njcugothicknights.com. Follow the Gothic Knights on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.