Despite a late surge led by the All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) freshman Sydney Kowalczyk, The No. 14-ranked Rowan Profs season came to an end on Wednesday after a, 3-2, loss to No. 17 Lynchburg Hornets in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium.
The Profs started very slow, letting up three goals in the first half. They found their rhythm in the third quarter when Kowalczyk scored her first goal, and then in the fourth, she scored her second, which brought the Profs back in striking distance. Kowalczyk was all over the field today, starting outside in midfield and then moving to inside, which allowed for her two goals.
“I started out on the outside, but we switched things up after halftime to generate more in the middle,” Kowalczyk said. “That put me in the position to score those two goals. I just wanted to do whatever I could to help us get back in it.”
Lynchburg (17-4) lost to Rowan earlier in season, 4-3, in overtime. They went up three goals in the first half, two of them from corners and from Kanye Mzizi. The Profs statistically were the more dominant team but couldn’t convert their dominance into a win. Rowan outshot the Hornets, 15-11, and held the edge in corners, 9-5.
Head coach Michelle Andre praised her team and specifically her seniors for the successful season they were able to put together. This season, the Profs won their fifth straight NJAC regular season title, fifth straight NJAC conference tournament win, and their seventh straight NCAA appearance.
“I just told them in the locker room — I love coaching this group,” Andre said. “Winning five conference titles in a row is incredibly difficult. We’ve been consistent at that level, and now it’s about finding that same edge nationally. I’m proud of every single one of them.”
The defeat ends what has been an incredible season for Rowan (16-6). The Profs battled through some serious adversity early in the season.
As the season rolled on, Rowan went on a lengthy win streak, winning ten in the bounce before they won the NJAC. For seniors Tess Herman, Alexa Ronning, Mariah Juiliano, Kylie Elwell, Kaylee Wenzel, Katie Meehan, and Paige Yocum, the loss marks the end of their storied careers, characterized by excellent leadership.
“I love this team,” Herman said. “Four straight NJAC titles and so many memories — I wouldn’t have changed anything about my time here. It’s been an amazing ride.”
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