Women’s Soccer wins 1-0 over Rutgers-Newark

Photo courtesy of Ramapo College

The Roadrunners looked to snap a four-game losing streak when they played host to the Rutgers-Newark Scarlet Raiders on Wednesday afternoon at the Athletic Center. The Roadrunners were able to defeat the Scarlet Raiders as they won by the score of 1-0. This was the tenth time this season that the Roadrunners defense has allowed three goals or less, as well as the second shutout win for the Roadrunners this season.

Ramapo’s sixth year Head Coach, Abby Shiffler, stated that the Roadrunners had to put this game in the win column even when the game itself was low scoring.

“This was a must win game for us, and we knew that going in,” said Shiffler. “It wasn’t our best game, but we found a way to win, and that’s all what matters.”

The game was scoreless throughout the entire first half, as neither team was able to muster any offense during that first half. Rutgers-Newark in particular was called for offsides eight times in the first half while Ramapo was called for offsides only twice in the first half. Both teams were dead even in total shots in the first half with five a piece, and they were also dead even in goalkeeper saves in the first half with two a piece.

The second half generally played out the same way as the first half until the 78th minute of the game when junior forward Gabrielle Gentilucci broke the scoreless tie with her third goal of the 2017 season on a breakaway down field. The assist on the scoring play where Gentilucci scored the only goal of the game was provided by freshman midfielder Keri Ferrera. Gentilucci’s goal in the 78th minute wound up being the only goal in the entire game.

Senior captain Nani Vizcaino stated that on the play where Gentilucci scored the game deciding goal in the 78th minute came from the center midfielder.

“The ball came from our center mid Keri; she had a great ball to Gab,” said Vizcaino. “Gab touched it with her right foot to her left foot, and just kicked it around the goalie for a goal.”

In the second half, Rutgers-Newark outshot the Roadrunners 8-3, but the Roadrunners had a 3-2 edge in goalkeeper saves. Also in the second half, Rutgers-Newark was called for offsides six times while the Roadrunners did not get called for any offsides. Overall, shots on goal were dead even at five a piece for both teams.

The Roadrunners went on to improve their 2017 record to 4-8 overall, 2-4 against NJAC rivals, and 2-2 at home, while Rutgers-Newark drops to 8-7 overall, 2-4 against NJAC rivals, and 6-2 on the road. The Roadrunners’ next game is on Saturday, October 14 against NJAC rival New Jersey City University at the Athletic Center at 1 p.m. This Saturday will also be senior day as fellow seniors Jessica Cusick, Nani Vizcaino, Amber Hermanns, and Sydney Kauffman will be honored before the game commences.

pmcguire@ramapo.edu