Box Score 

NEWARK, N.J. – Freshman Michelle Marabondo's (Kenvil, N.J./Roxbury) goal with 33 seconds left gave second-seeded William Paterson (12-7-3) a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against third-seeded New Jersey City (13-9) in the semifinals of the ECAC Women's Soccer Metro Region Tournament Nov. 14 at NJIT's Lubetkin Field.

The Pioneers will play top-seeded NYU in the championship match of the ECAC Metro Tournament Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2:00 p.m. at NJIT's Lubetkin Field. The Violets reached the final with a 1-0 victory against fourth-seeded Bard in the first semifinal of the day.

The Gothic Knights had the run of play early, and took advantage when Katlin Vargo broke through for the game's first goal, a free kick into the upper 90 from 30 yards out in the 20th minute.

William Paterson began to take over late in the second half, and the increased pressure paid dividends with 7:51 remaining when junior Kathleen Maggi (New Milford, N.J./New Milford) headed in an Ali Ruddy (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) free kick, her second goal of the season and the equalizer. The Pioneers stayed on the offensive during the closing moments, and avoided overtime by scoring the game winner when Marabondo punched home a cross from classmate Laela Brock (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) from five feet out. The goal was the eighth this season for Marabondo, and her fourth of the ECAC Tournament after she contributed a hat trick to a 4-0 first-round victory against Old Westbury Nov. 11.

Senior Meaghan Baker (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Knolls) made three saves for the Pioneers, and Catherine Hensley had six stops for NJCU. After the Knights held a 7-4 edge in first-half shots, WP out-shot New Jersey City by a 12-8 count during the second period for a 16-15 overall advantage.

The victory avenged a 3-1 loss the Pioneers suffered to the Gothic Knights earlier this season (Oct. 14), and set-up a rematch against a NYU team that defeated William Paterson by a 2-1 score Oct. 7. WP will be looking to secure its first postseason title since winning the 1998 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament.