Photo courtesy of Ramapo Athletics
The Roadrunners looked to bounce back after suffering their first loss of the season against New York University when they traveled to Wayne to take on the William Paterson Pioneers, who came in as losers of three of their last five games. The Roadrunners came out victorious in double overtime by the score of 2-1 for their first NJAC win of the year. This was the Roadrunners’ third straight win against William Paterson, dating back to 2013.
Fourth-year head coach Abby Shiffler thinks that recruiting has played a key role in Ramapo’s success against William Paterson over the past couple of years.
“It’s a good sign,” said Shiffler. “It means that we’re getting progressively better and we’re building as a program and bringing in talent; I think for a long time we haven’t beaten them, so it’s a big accomplishment.”
The Roadrunners got on the board in the 27th minute of the game when senior forward Alexa Ragusa chipped a shot into the net past Pioneer goalkeeper Angela Sandelli on a breakaway that was assisted by senior captain Nicole Ninomiya, her second assist of the year and her 16th point of the season. Ninomiya’s 16 points rank third in the conference.
Then, in the 31st minute of the game, William Paterson would get that goal back, as freshman forward Alondra Diaz fired a shot that crossed from left to right and then finished in the back left corner of the net to tie the game at one, her first goal of the year. Senior midfielder Gina Cowdrick provided the assist, her first of the year. The score would remain tied at one for the remainder of regulation.
The deciding goal came with 33 seconds left in double overtime, when Ragusa bounced a shot past Sandelli and into the net from the top of the box.
With the win, the Roadrunners improve to 6-1-1 on the year, which surpasses their win total from all of last season (5).
Ragusa felt that the Roadrunners needed to score and get numbers on the board.
“The last opportunity to capitalize, pretty much, but it was a little time so we just needed [a goal] in that second,” said Ragusa.
Sophomore midfielder Rebecca Hager sees the Roadrunners' defense as a strong asset.
“I think our defense is a strong asset to our team so they’re pretty vital to us,” said Hager.
The Roadrunners returned to action on Wednesday and suffered a 3-0 loss to conference rival Rutgers Newark, thus snapping their string of consecutive wins of allowing two goals or less. This was the first time that the Roadrunners have been shut out all season. They will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Glassboro to take on Rowan University.
pmcguire@ramapo.edu
