KEENE, N.H. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women's soccer team saw its postseason run come to a heartbreaking close on Friday, Nov. 14, falling 1–0 in overtime to Keene State College in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) semifinals at the Owl Athletic Complex. The tightly contested match remained scoreless through regulation before the Owls capitalized on a rebound in the 93rd minute to secure the golden-goal victory.

NJCU (10-8-2, 3-4-2 NJAC) struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure, as Keene State (10-5-6, 4-0-4 LEC) controlled much of the attacking play and outshot the Gothic Knights 15–5, including a 7–3 advantage in shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Sophia Mannino (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township) kept NJCU in the match with a strong performance, recording five saves across 92:09 minutes. On the opposite end, Keene State keeper Riley Andriski played the full match and was tested three times.

Both teams mirrored each other on set pieces with two corner kicks apiece, but the Gothic Knights were whistled for 15 fouls compared to the Owls' nine. In addition to Mannino, five Gothic Knights—Kayla Rodrigues (Union, N.J./Union), Nyrohah Alvarenga (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech), Somaia Roman (Union, N.J./Union), Gabriella Sharpe (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne), and Kyanah-Belle Jean-Louis (Montreal, Canada/Washington Township (N.J.))—played all 93 minutes. Alvarenga and freshman Isabella Ramirez (Elmwood Park, N.J./Elmwood Park Memorial) accounted for four of the team's five shots, each recording two attempts and one on target. Rodrigues contributed the third shot on frame.

Keene State wasted no time establishing offensive momentum, firing off a shot in the opening minute and forcing Mannino into her first save in the 15th. NJCU's first quality look came in the 27th minute when Alvarenga forced Andriski into action. The Owls continued to apply pressure, generating six more attempts—including two on goal—while holding the Gothic Knights without another shot for the remainder of the half.

The second half unfolded far more evenly, with each side recording four shots. NJCU created the better scoring chances, producing two shots on target—from Rodrigues and Ramirez—while limiting Keene State to just one. Despite the tighter play, neither team could break through, sending the contest to sudden-death overtime.

The decisive moment came swiftly in the extra period. Keene State's Keely Giordano opened the 92nd minute with consecutive shots, forcing Mannino into a crucial save before NJCU's back line blocked the follow-up attempt. However, on the ensuing rebound, Giordano connected with Mariella Tsitsonis, who tucked the ball into the net to deliver the Owls the game-winner and send them to the ECAC Championship.

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