BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women's soccer team delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Brooklyn College on Friday, Oct. 3, at Brooklyn College Field. Senior
Lorraine Valenzuela (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne), normally NJCU's backup goalkeeper, made a surprise appearance as a striker and made it count—scoring the first two goals of her collegiate career to help lead the Gothic Knights to the shutout win.
With the win, NJCU improves to 7-4 on the season, while the Bulldogs drop to 2-7. The Gothic Knights dominated the match in every statistical category, outshooting Brooklyn 31-2, including an 18-2 advantage in shots on goal. NJCU also led in corner kicks, 9-1, but committed more fouls, 11-5.
Freshman goalkeeper
Jessica Martin (Union, N.J./David Brearley) earned her second career clean sheet, needing only two saves to preserve the shutout. Brooklyn's Sage Bernstein faced relentless pressure from the Gothic Knights, finishing with 14 saves.
NJCU wasted no time setting the tone. In just the 5th minute, senior
Ari Flores-Ortiz (Little Falls, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) and fellow senior
Jen Quizhpi (Newark, N.J./East Side) combined on a beautiful sequence to set up Valenzuela for her first-ever collegiate goal. It was the first assist of the season for both Flores-Ortiz and Quizhpi. The Gothic Knights maintained complete control throughout the first half, unleashing 14 more shots and holding the Bulldogs without a single attempt before the break.
The Gothic Knights continued to press in the second half, and in the 63rd minute, freshman
Aubrey Gulbin (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) connected with Valenzuela, who buried her second goal of the afternoon to extend NJCU's lead to 2-0. The assist marked Gulbin's first collegiate assist.
Despite continued offensive pressure, NJCU couldn't convert on several promising chances until the 78th minute. Senior
Gabriela Rodriguez (Elizabeth, N.J./Frank J. Cicarell Academy) delivered a well-placed pass to freshman
Kayla Rodrigues (Union, N.J./Union), who slotted home her first career goal to seal the 3-0 win. Both Rodriguez and Rodrigues earned their first points of the season on the play.
In the closing minutes, NJCU added three more shots, while Brooklyn managed one final attempt that was again saved by Martin. Sophomore defender
Sarah Alvarez (Lyndhurst, N.J./Newark East Side) played the full 90 minutes, helping to anchor a backline that allowed just two shots all match.
UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights return to action tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 4, when they host Stockton University in a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field, located at the Thomas M. Gerrity Athletic Complex.
For the latest news, updates, and information on New Jersey City University sports, visit njcugothicknights.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Gothic Knights news by following NJCU Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.