In 2018, Jessica Logan was a part of the Rowan women’s soccer team that made it to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) finals. But after a serious injury in 2019 and the unprecedented events of 2020, Logan learned to appreciate her time playing soccer more than ever.
In 2021, Logan is back in her uniform as the Prof’s captain.
During the Prof’s game against William Paterson University last Saturday, Logan scored the game-winning goal for a 2-1 victory. This was her first goal since 2018.
“The past two years have been really tough getting back from [an] ACL injury and then also having another season taken from COVID,” Logan said. “Just being on the field, in general, has felt amazing, and scoring a game-winning goal is even better.”
Heading into the second half of the game on Saturday, the score was tied 0-0.
The Profs scored first when Jillian Jankowski, a freshman, sent the ball to the back of the net for her second goal of the season, creating a 1-0 lead for Rowan.
The Pioneers answered back with a goal of their own to tie the game. With just about ten minutes remaining in the match, Logan sealed the deal for the Profs.
“One of my teammates got fouled outside of the box, and when my teammate [Kelsi Stangl] set up the ball for the kick, I just decided to stand right in front of the net. My defender, I felt like, didn’t really follow me,” Logan said. “Me and my teammate were on the same page, she gave me a perfect pass and I scored.”
As Rowan continues to face more NJAC opponents later in the season, Head Coach Scott Leacott knows how vital it is for his team to follow the lead of Logan on the field
“She’s one of the fittest players, [she] works probably the hardest out on the field,” Coach Leacott said. “So that’s something we need to have some other players follow and just make sure that they’re on the same page.”
Logan understands how important it was for her to return to the field, considering her past seasons playing for Rowan. She takes no game for granted.
“It was really tough, but it was all a learning experience. I don’t think it was really a setback. In a way, I think it taught me to appreciate the game more,” Logan said. “It made me more aware of [the fact that] soccer’s going to end eventually, and it was kind of like a taste of what it’s not like to play soccer anymore. And it made me want to play my hardest because I know it’s going to end eventually. [I’m] just not even going to take the game for granted.”
Coach Leacott is curious to see how Logan will continue to affect the rest of the Profs’ performance.
“Jess works extremely hard, just gives you energy out on the field,” Coach Leacott said. “We’re starting to hopefully make sure that her energy is contagious with everybody else. She’s come back real well, [a] good, solid leader on the field. Hopefully, we can follow her lead a little bit.”
Logan and the Profs currently are 4-1 in the NJAC and 9-3 for the season overall. On Wednesday, Oct. 13, the Profs will play at Stockton University. The Profs will then face Kean University on Saturday, Oct. 16. Both games are a part of the NJAC.
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