No. 18-ranked Rowan women’s soccer has won their fourth consecutive match, taking care of business against Rutgers-Camden with a 2-0 win on Saturday at the Rowan Soccer and Lacrosse Complex. The 8-1 Rowan Profs remain unbeaten versus the Scarlet Raptors in 27 all-time meetings, and now a perfect 3-0 in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play thus far. 

The Profs dominated the pace of play while taking 26 shots. They limiting the offensive production of a Scarlet Raptors side that totaled no shots on the day. Out of a dozen chances on frame, Rowan managed to find the netting once in each half. 

“I thought the first half we didn’t work very hard, but we still kept a lot of possession,” head coach Scott Leacott said. “I feel like in the second half, our movement off the ball was very good … but, you’re never satisfied as a coach.”

After Rowan struggled to get past Rutgers-Camden’s compact defensive formation, they created an opening in the 31st minute of the match. Sara Wiedeman had a threatening shot which dinged off the crossbar, leaving Sophia Saladino with a chance inside the six yard box that required a Scarlet Raptor defender to make a goal line clearance. 

Seconds later, a bouncing ball found the feet of Julianna Giordano, who laced a half volley into the upper right corner of the net to give Rowan a 1-0 lead. Giordano’s first of the season was, indeed, a goal of the year candidate. 

“I stood there in shock,” Giordano said. “That was actually the most amazing feeling in the world.”

Following halftime, Giordano tallied an assist to her name. She raced down the sideline and played a firm pass into the box, finding Wiedeman who kicked a one timer into the bottom right corner. In the 68th minute, Rowan tacked on their cushion, enough to secure the win. 

“When everyone on the team is working as hard as each other, we’re working as a team,” Giordano said. “You’re working for the girl in front of you [and] working for the girl behind you.”

Rutgers-Camden entered Glassboro with just four goals and one victory, both being the lowest among all NJAC teams. The Profs took advantage, especially since their defensive form has been top notch as of late, having only conceded twice this fall and earning seven clean sheets in nine games.

“We probably have the best back four in the conference right now, but very rarely does it get to them,” Leacott said. “If we can collectively defend as eleven, we’re going to be a tough team to beat, and I think that’s what we do.”

No. 18-ranked Rowan is set to play their biggest game of the season next week, as they prepare to host the No. 1-ranked Messiah Falcons on Wednesday, Oct. 8. Adding magnitude to this Wednesday’s upcoming test for the Profs, Messiah is a flawless 11-0 to start their season. 

“We’d love to come out of there with a win and the excitement coming off of that,” Leacott said. “I just want to see how we’re going to do against a team like that, and it should be a really good night on Wednesday.” 

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