For the fifth time in as many years, the Rowan Profs have won the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) field hockey title.
Senior Kaylee Wenzel scored the golden goal in the second period of overtime On Saturday night that gave the Profs the, 1-0, victory over The College of New Jersey Lions (TCNJ) at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium. It’s also the fourth tear in a row they’ve defeated TCNJ in the title game.
After a continued spell of pressure for the Profs in the 7 vs. 7 period of overtime, Rowan on their 24th corner finally broke through after Gracie Merrick inserted to Senior captain Tess Herman. Herman’s shot was deflected in by Wenzel with 75:25 played, and sealed the victory and the title.
“I’m just so excited,” Wenzel said. “All week Coach [Michelle Andre] has been on us about being right in front of the goalie, blocking her view, and when Tess hit that ball, I knew I had to lay my body down and get it in the back of the net. It’s the best feeling ever.”
The Profs dominated in all facets of the game except for the score. The Profs outshot the Lions 19-8 and had 24 penalty corners to TCNJ’s five on the day. Even with the Profs showing their class, it took every single one of the 75 minutes played to break through the tough TCNJ defense led by Brigitte Racey, who tallied ten saves.
Herman, who recorded the assist, said she could see it unfolding in slow motion.
“My first thought was just get the ball in the circle,” Herman said. “Kaylee [Wenzel] was there at the perfect time. I watched it go in and I was just in shock, it was amazing.”
Head coach Michelle Andre praised her team’s perseverance and composure against a strong TCNJ defense.
“I’m super proud of this group,” Andre said. “They played with so much heart, effort, and determination, and they did it the right way all season. We went up against one of the best goalkeepers in the country tonight, and the bottom line was we just had to move her and find a way to get one behind her, which we did.”
The win capped an emotional week across Rowan Athletics, one Wenzel said showed the power of campus-wide support.
“We were all at volleyball earlier today, and it just felt like everyone was behind each other,” Wenzel said. “It made us feel like a family, not just this team, but the whole school.”
Rowan, now 16-5 on the season, have won their last nine home games including tonight. The Profs in NJAC play went a perfect 6-0 and won both of their playoff games to punch their fifth-consecutive ticket to the NCAA tournament.
Coach Michelle Andre said the late season stretch the team had, which includes wins of Montclair State and Kean, prepared them for the championship game.
“We play the schedule we do so that we can win the NJAC and make a run in the NCAA Tournament,” Andre said. “If we play with this kind of determination and passion, everything else will fall into place.”
Rowan will find out who their next opponent is on Sunday when the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Selection Show airs on Sunday.
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