Last season, Rowan ended Stockton’s season in the semifinals. A new season produced the same results, as No. 25 ranked Rowan field hockey won their New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) semi-final matchup over Stockton, 4-0, on Wednesday night at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium. The win improved Rowan’s record to 13-7 on the season and put them in the NJAC Championship game on Saturday.
After beating Stockton by only two goals last week, Rowan made sure to set the tone early. Just two minutes into the game, Kylie Elwell received a pass from Jenna Gray directly in front of the cage and fired the ball past the goalkeeper.
Elwell’s fourth goal of the season was followed just a minute later by an Allie Palumbo goal off a redirection to double the score. It was Palumbo’s 15th goal of the season and her first goal against her former university in two meetings.
Gray tallied her first goal of the game with four minutes to go in the half making the score 3-0. Gray would add her second goal of the game two minutes into the second half when Stockton’s goalkeeper made a kick save and the rebound trickled right to Gray’s stick.
Gray fired the ball home for her 13th goal of the season. The score would remain 4-0 for the remainder of the game, sealing Rowan’s playoff victory.
Head Coach Michelle Andre knew how she wanted her team to attack Stockton, given they played each other just a week earlier.
“We did some things in practice, trying to utilize the transfer of the center players,” Andre said. “We also tried to get a little bit wider and surround the cage and capitalize on chances when we got them.”
Gray also noted the importance of getting off to a fast start.
“We wanted to get on them from the jump,” Gray said. “We didn’t want to give up any corners and just wanted to come out and take it to them.”
Gray, being just a freshman, might not be expected to play such a significant role on a championship-caliber team. However, Andre says that’s exactly what is asked of her.
“When we recruit you, we want you to be an impact for us and be competitive for us,” Andre said. “We know she’s capable of doing it and she’s now adjusting to the college level. She’s able to re-defend and get her own attack going, which you saw happen tonight.”
Throughout the season, Rowan has talked about keeping the NJAC running through the ‘Boro. They will get the opportunity to make good on their promise, as the Profs welcome a familiar opponent in TCNJ to Glassboro on Saturday for the NJAC Championship game. TCNJ has made the trip down from Ewing the past two seasons, only to lose both times in the finals to Rowan. The game will be played at 6 p.m.
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