For the first time in two weeks, Rowan field hockey is back in the win column after defeating Widener on Wednesday, Oct. 9 by a final score of 4-0 at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium. The shutout victory improved Rowan’s record to 5-7 on the season and snapped their season-high four game losing streak.

The winning effort was highlighted by an impressive first half by the Profs. Rowan knocked in two goals, the first scored by forward Allie Palumbo just five minutes into the game when she received a pass from teammate Kylie Elwell and delivered a backhand shot from ten yards out that found its way into the back of the cage. The goal was Palumbo’s team-leading seventh on the season and keeps her among the leading goal-scorers in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).

Rowan’s second goal of the half came with just under four minutes to go in the second quarter when midfielder Sidney Pavlishin found forward Lily Bataloni all alone behind the defense. Bataloni was able to convert on the breakaway attempt, tallying her fourth goal of the season and her third in the last five games. Bataloni isn’t a starter, but embraces her role of coming off the bench and providing instant offense.

“I love lifting up my teammates when I’m on the field,” Bataloni said. “Even if I’m scoring or not scoring, I love being a positive role model on the field and setting an example for my teammates.”

Rowan added on two insurance goals in the fourth quarter from Alexa Ronning and Jenna Gray, cementing the 4-0 final score. Overall, this was a game that Rowan dominated. The Profs outshot Widener 16-1 and won the corner attempts battle 17-2. This also marks the first time in goaltender Mariah Juiliano’s career that she did not face a shot on goal.

Rowan had suffered numerous tough losses as of late, so head coach Michelle Andre knew how important this win was to her team.

“I’m really glad we put together a game like this because we have been playing well, even if it hasn’t shown up in the win-loss column,” Andre said. “We always expect to win whenever we go out there, so it was good to get one tonight.”

Rowan now looks ahead to the start of conference play, where each game has an added importance in terms of seeding for the NJAC playoffs at the end of the season.

“If we continue to improve and play like we have recently, we’ll be fine,” Andre said. “We need to go in and understand we are the team to beat and just play with the same energy we have been.”

Bataloni, a sophomore transfer from Wagner, will be playing against conference opponents for the first time as a Prof. From what her teammates and coaches have told her, NJAC play is a completely different animal.

“They’ve said it gets really competitive,” Bataloni said. “So we just need to stay on the offensive and put the pressure on the opponent whenever we go out there.”

Rowan’s first conference test will come on Saturday, Oct. 12, as the Profs will welcome 2-8 Ramapo to Glassboro.

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