The Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks came to play on Wednesday night, defeating the Rowan Profs, 5-1, at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium. The No. 25 Ducks continued their undefeated start to the season, taking control early with three unanswered goals in the first half. Stevens leaned on both ends of the field, with standout forward Jenna Piantieri and goalkeeper Lily Wierzbicki powering the Hoboken side to a Top-25 statement win.

Rowan (2-2) showed positive stretches, firing 18 shots and earning 15 corners, but couldn’t convert enough of its chances.

“We had more opportunities, but we didn’t capitalize,” head coach Michelle Andre said. “We need to be better on offensive corners and stop reacting to the game—we need to dictate the play. That’s what Stevens did tonight.”

The Ducks’ key players rose to the occasion. Piantieri scored twice to fuel the fast start, while Wierzbicki tallied 11 saves, including a penalty stroke stop on Alexa Ronning that could’ve swung momentum back toward Rowan. Time and time again, Wierzbicki denied the Profs, making it seem as though the cage was sealed shut.

For Rowan, forward Sydney Kowalczyk continued her strong form, scoring her team’s lone goal in the fourth quarter. After a shot by Mia Foti was saved, Kowalczyk pounced on the rebound for her team-leading third goal of the season and third in four games.

“I think she’s [Kowalczyk] been great,” Andre said. “She’s finishing, she’s active, and when we had her and [Gracie] Merrick on the field together at the end, you could see the difference in how we played.”

Rowan’s brief hope was quickly dashed. Just 19 seconds after Kowalczyk cut the deficit to 3-1, Stevens answered to restore a three-goal lead. The Ducks added a fifth in the closing minutes to seal the victory.

“It was tough because we finally got one and then gave it right back,” captain Tess Herman said. “But we have to keep our heads up. Mistakes happen. It’s about bouncing back, communicating, and playing together.”

The result underscores Stevens’ rise, as the Ducks, unranked to start the year, are making their case to climb higher in the national poll. Rowan, meanwhile, has faced one of the toughest starts in the nation, opening with four straight ranked opponents at home.

Now the Profs shift to a three-game road swing against unranked foes, Muhlenberg, Catholic, and Haverford, beginning Saturday in Allentown, Pa.

“This is our chance to regroup,” Andre said. “We’ve got the talent, but we need to play as one unit. If we do that, we’ll be fine.”