HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Dominant on both ends of the field, the New Jersey City University (NJCU) women's soccer team cruised to its third consecutive victory with a commanding 5-0 shutout over Centenary University on Tuesday, Sept. 23, at J.E. Reeves Jr. Field. The win improves the Gothic Knights' record to 6-2 on the season, while the Cyclones drop to 2-4-1.

In a thoroughly one-sided performance, NJCU controlled possession from the opening whistle, outshooting Centenary by an overwhelming 30-3 margin, including a 17-2 edge in shots on goal. The Gothic Knights also earned all 10 of the game's corner kicks, while limiting the Cyclones to zero.

Offensively, five different Gothic Knights contributed goals, and a total of 23 players saw action. Junior Joselyn Reyes (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) opened the scoring in the 11th minute with her first goal of the season—and second of her career—capitalizing on an early opportunity to give NJCU a quick 1-0 lead. Just five minutes later, senior midfielder Natalia Jaramillo (Bergenfield, N.J./Bergenfield) delivered a well-placed pass to fellow senior Jess Digristina (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee), who found the back of the net for her second goal of the year and ninth of her NJCU career. The assist marked Jaramillo's second of the season and fifth overall.

The Knights continued to pressure the Cyclones throughout the half, and their persistence paid off in the 44th minute when sophomore forward Gabriella Cardona (Elizabeth, N.J./Alexander Hamilton) scored her fourth goal of the season. Cardona slotted the ball past the keeper after receiving a timely pass from senior Gineth Arias Martinez (Soacha Cundinamarca, Colombia/Institución Educativa Leon XII), who notched her first assist of the season and second of her career. The goal gave NJCU a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into halftime.

NJCU head coach Anthony Tuesta utilized all three goalkeepers during the match, allowing each to contribute to the combined shutout. Senior Sophia Mannino (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township) started in goal and played the first 24:32 before being relieved by senior Lorraine Valenzuela (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne), who played the remainder of the first half and began the second.

Freshman Jessica Martin (Union, N.J./David Brearley) took over in the 59th minute, playing the final 31:41 and recording both of NJCU's saves in the match. Martin's first save came in the 68th minute on a low strike to the bottom left corner, and her second came in the 84th minute when she denied Centenary's best chance with a diving stop to the top left of the net.

After a quiet start to the second half, the Gothic Knights reignited their attack in the 66th minute. Senior forward Nyrohah Alvarenga (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech) netted her fifth goal of the season—23rd of her career—extending the lead to 4-0. Alvarenga, who leads NJCU in total points this season (12), currently sits atop the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) leaderboard in goals per game (.625). She nearly added a second just minutes later, but Centenary keeper Emma Ferfecki made a solid save to deny her effort in the 73rd minute.

Just seconds after Alvarenga's attempt, NJCU struck again. Freshman Aubrey Gulbin (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) scored her first collegiate goal in the 74th minute, assisted by Arias Martinez, putting the final touch on the 5-0 victory for the Gothic Knights.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights will begin New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play on Saturday, Sept. 27, when they travel to Montclair State University for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. NJCU will look to extend its winning streak to four and make a strong statement in its conference opener.
 
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