The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women’s soccer team was defeated by Montclair State University (MSU) in their New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener, with a final score of 3-0. The match took place on Saturday, September 27 at MSU Soccer Park.
Montclair State, now holding a record of 5-0-3 overall and 1-0 in conference play, outshot NJCU by a margin of 9-5. Both teams managed four shots on goal during the game. MSU also led in corner kicks with eleven compared to NJCU’s two, while committing more fouls than NJCU, with an 11-5 count.
Senior goalkeeper Sophia Mannino played the entire match for NJCU and recorded one save. The defensive lineup included seniors Jess Digristina and Gabriella Sharpe along with sophomore Kyanah-Belle Jean-Louis, all of whom were on the field for the full duration.
On offense, all four of NJCU’s shots came from senior players: Gineth Arias Martinez, Nyrohah Alvarenga, Jess Digristina, Gabriella Sharpe, and Gabriela Rodriguez. Of these attempts, only Sharpe’s shot missed the target.
Montclair State scored first in the 18th minute when Isabell Kronow netted her fourth goal of the season with an assist from Kylie Prendergast. Kronow added another goal three minutes later off a pass from Mackenzie Albert to put MSU ahead by two goals.
NJCU’s only shot in the first half came in the 20th minute but was saved by MSU goalkeeper Salange Bell, who finished with four saves overall.
In the second half, Sharpe had an opportunity in the 61st minute but missed high. On MSU’s next possession, Albert scored to make it 3-0. Later attempts by Arias Martinez and Digristina were blocked or saved as NJCU tried to reduce the deficit. Mannino made her single save in the 69th minute before Montclair State closed out the match with two more off-target shots.
Looking ahead, NJCU will host Rowan University on Wednesday, October 1 at Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field for another conference matchup scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.
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