Pass.

Pass.

Shot!

The Rowan field hockey team has been using that mantra to jump off to its best start in history under fourth year head coach Michelle Andre.

The team is still perfect on the season with an unblemished 12-0 record and a 3-0 record in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).

This past week, they earned convincing wins in two conference road games against Stockton University and Kean University.

At Stockton, the Profs dominated the attack, totaling 27 total shots (18 on goal) compared to the mere one by the Ospreys in their 6-0 win.

“I like the way we were adjusted to them,” Andre said. “Doubling and tripling the ball we were passing very well.”

Passing the ball consistently and getting the ball to their midfielders was something Andre was very pleased with against Stockton. Freshman Kristina Castagnola struck first for the Profs seven minutes into the game as she got herself right into the front of the net and was able to tip in her fellow midfielder Casey Wagner’s one-timer shot. Castagnola would also end up scoring the Profs’ final goal of the lopsided contest on a corner that was assisted by Wagner once again.

Rowan created a dominating presence in both time of possession and the corner shots, where the Profs controlled the midfield and outmatched the Osprey on corners 21-1.

“I think our middies [midfielders] did a great job, as well as our side backs, cutting off the angle and getting the ball before it crossed the midfield,” Andre said. “We weren’t allowing the ball out and that’s why you saw such a dominance in the time of possession.”

Against Kean, the brown and gold edged out the Cougars in total shots by a 23-11 margin to propel their way to a 9-1 victory. The win had Rowan climb up to fifth in the NFHCA poll, only one spot behind NJAC rival The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), who are currently 10-1 overall and 2-0 in the conference. Both teams will find each other under the lights October 16th in Glassboro. 

After three straight conference matchups, the Profs played Arcadia University at home Wednesday night and tacked onto their historic run with a 5-1 win to move to 13-0. Rachel Galante scored her 21st goal of the year and had an assist, Molly Gorczyca netted her sixth, Bridget Guinan her 14th and Krystyna Hovell had two goals to give her eight on the year. 

Rowan hosts Ramapo College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

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