The story of Rowan’s season has been losing one-score games, and through 56 minutes, it seemed like the Profs would lose yet another heartbreaker. Kylie Elwell and Alexa Ronning changed that fate, as Rowan field hockey came back to beat rival TCNJ, 2-1, on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium. The win improved Rowan’s record to 7-7 on the season and 2-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).

The game was a must-win for both sides. Each school is a heavy favorite to take home the conference title and winning today would significantly increase the chances of hosting the championship game. Throughout most of the game, it seemed Rowan wouldn’t be able to rise to the occasion. The Profs were able to muster just one shot on goal through three quarters, and a goal by TCNJ in the 3rd quarter felt like the difference in a bitter defensive contest.

With four minutes left in the game, Rowan needed a spark. That’s when Kylie Elwell stepped up in a big way. Elwell stood in front of the TCNJ goaltender and deflected a shot by teammate Jenna Gray into the back of the cage. The goal sent her teammates and the home fans into a frenzy. 

“I almost started crying,” Elwell said. “I’m still shaking from that. It was an amazing feeling.”

After the goal, Rowan could’ve settled for overtime. Instead, they attacked on offense with an energy not seen all game. With just over two minutes left, Tess Herman was fouled by a TCNJ defender which resulted in a penalty shot opportunity for the Profs. Alexa Ronning stepped up and calmly delivered the ball into the top left corner of the cage.

“That was something that needed to be done,” Ronning said. “I scored on a penalty shot in the last game so I just told myself ‘Stay calm, you know what you can do.’ I kept my eye on the ball and put it in.”

The image of Ronning turning around and lifting her arms up as her teammates mobbed her will be a defining moment of the season, but the game still wasn’t over. As they did all game, Rowan’s defense rose to the occasion and turned away TCNJ attacks, sealing a 2-1 victory. After the game, head coach Michelle Andre couldn’t keep the excitement off her face.

“Typical Rowan-TCNJ field hockey,” Andre said. “To win a game like that when you have your backs against the wall says so much about the character of these players.”

While beating Rowan’s biggest rival was a big enough prize in its own right, the win also puts Rowan in the driver’s seat to accomplish their season-long goals. The Profs, along with Montclair State, are the only teams still undefeated in conference play.

“TCNJ’s our biggest competition in the conference,” Elwell said. “We beat them and we’re on the right track, so getting that done is just a really great feeling.”

“This is a statement game,” Ronning added. “It’s great to be 2-0 in conference, but we still have more to accomplish to keep the NJAC running through Rowan.”

Rowan’s next challenge comes on Saturday when the Profs will travel to Kean for a game that will start at 1:00 p.m.

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