Women’s soccer snaps a losing streak to start NJAC play

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Daria Jones (left) in a game last season. Photo / Multimedia Editor Dyone Payne

This past Saturday was a big day for the Rowan women’s soccer team when they beat William Paterson University at home 3-1.

The goals for Rowan came from junior Aidan Sheehan, senior Casey Lubonski and senior Daria Jones who, along with the goal, had an assist as well. 

The offense was something that Coach Scott Leacott saw an improvement in from the previous three games in which they lost and didn’t score any goals. 

“We didn’t really change a whole lot, we wanted to play a little faster, we wanted to create more opportunities towards goals and I think we did that.” Leacott said.

The improvements weren’t only seen on the sidelines though, it was seen by the players on the field as well, according to Jones. 

 “I think we saw the field more,” Jones said. “We were a lot more composed on the ball and we were able to make more passes and be offensive.”

The team did run into some challenges early in the game though because within the first five minutes, William Paterson scored. But the team definitely didn’t let that mess up the rest of the game. 

“I honestly just pretended it didn’t even happen,” Jones said. “I was like ‘Don’t even worry about it, just move forward from here,’ because the only thing you can do from do now is tie the game and get back into it.”

The win was not only important because it got them out of their three game slump, but it also was the first game in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play.

“Obviously it is important to go 1-0 in the conference and to get off to a good start in the conference,” Leacott said. “In the game this weekend we want to go 2-0 in the conference, which would be a big boost.”

The game this weekend is against another conference opponent, Montclair State University, and with an unusually long break between the two games, Leacott isn’t going to let the team lose momentum.

“The next couple days we will start preparing for the game, working on our weaknesses, making sure we work on things we should be doing on the field that we are not currently doing, and go along with our strengths, keep them up as well.” Leacott said.

The game against Montclair State University is set to be played on Saturday Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. in Montclair.

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