After a slow start to their season, the Rowan field hockey team seems to have gotten into a groove, with the latest example coming from Wednesday night, as the Profs took home a 6-1 win over non-conference opponent Catholic University at Richard Wackar Stadium. The win moves Rowan to 3-3 on the season after stringing together back-to-back wins.

The winning effort was spearheaded by reigning New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Player of the Week Allie Palumbo, who recorded two goals on the night. The highlight of the game came when Palumbo received a leading pass from Jenna Gray and lofted the ball over the goalie into the net, making the score 3-1.

“I looked up and saw the goalie had come out of the cage,” Palumbo said. “So I thought I might as well go for it and hope it works. Luckily, it ended up working”.

Palumbo is a senior transfer from Stockton, where she was an All-American during her career there. With her two goals tonight, she raises her season tally to a team-leading five goals. With Rowan losing two All-Americans from last year’s team, Palumbo has filled a big role for this year’s team early on.

“Allie has been so great here, it’s like she’s never not been a part of the team,” Head Coach Michelle Andre said. “She provides great leadership and she’s been playing in the NJAC for the past three years so she knows exactly what the level of competition is like and she performs very well.”

The second quarter proved to be huge for Rowan, as they turned in a dominating performance. The Profs recorded five shots on goal to Catholic’s two, scoring three goals off those shots while Catholic could only muster one. Tess Herman opened up the scoring with a goal off a rebound from her own shot. Sidney Pavlishin doubled the score with a goal of her own, being set up by a pass from Kaylee Wenzel right off the backline. Catholic’s lone goal came from Niki Micciche, who has scored in three consecutive meetings against the Profs. 

The story wasn’t just on offense for the Profs. Rowan also received a strong performance in net from Mariah Juiliano who made four saves, with a couple of them being from point-blank range. Her performance came on the heels of her first shutout of the season last time out. 

“She did all of the simple things tonight,” Andre said. “She had one save where she blocked it with her leg and jumped right back up. Really great stuff out of her and she was a big part of the win.”

Rowan tacked on another goal from Palumbo in the third quarter, before receiving two more goals in the fourth from Mia Foti and Abby Goblirsch, the latter recording her first career goal and securing the 6-1 victory. 

For the Profs, it’s now about taking success and sustaining it moving forward. With all her experience, Palumbo knows exactly what needs to be done.

“We just have to keep working hard,” Palumbo said. “Every practice, every drill needs to get 100% effort and the results will continue to come.”

Rowan will look to continue their winning ways in a home tilt against Haverford on Saturday, Sept. 18, at noon. 

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