Box Score 

WAYNE, N.J. – Second-seeded William Paterson (11-3-5) advanced to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Women's Soccer Tournament championship match thanks to a 4-2 advantage in penalty kicks against third-seeded Rowan (15-2-2) Nov. 3. The two teams played to a 0-0 double-overtime draw in the semifinal round at Pioneer Soccer Park.

The Pioneers will play in the NJAC Tournament final Saturday, Nov. 6, at top-seeded The College of New Jersey at 6:00 p.m. The Lions defeated fourth-seeded Richard Stockton, 2-1, in the other semifinal contest.

Junior Veronica Rhea started the shootout for Rowan by missing well above the left side of the crossbar, and sophomore Michelle Marabondo (Kenvil, N.J./Roxbury) followed with a strike to the upper-right corner of the frame, giving the Pioneers a 1-0 edge. NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year Alyssa Falduto (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) came up big for William Paterson to begin the second round as the freshman lunged to her right and snuffed out a Deandra Turchi attempt. Senior Vikki Cicak (Wharton, N.J./Morris Knolls) stepped up to the spot and drilled a shot inside the right post, making it a 2-0 edge for the home team.

Marina Mangano found the left side of the netting to get Rowan on the board, but junior Megan Droelle (Hampton, N.J./North Hunterdon) spun a ball off the left post and in for a 3-1 William Paterson advantage. Miranda Donnian's shot ricocheted off Falduto's hands to add to Rowan's total, but junior Heidi Rogers (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley) sealed the win in the best-of-five series with her attempt off Deana Woods' gloves and across the goal line.

After an opening period played primarily between the two boxes, things began to open up in the second half. Less than four minutes into the period, NJAC Defensive Player of the Year Ali Ruddy (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) blasted a shot from range that finished in the right side netting. A scramble in the box resulted in two Jess Babice blocked shots and a Donnian attempt that missed left with 30:30 showing on the clock, but William Paterson controlled the final 25 minutes, outshooting the Profs 6-0. The best chance in the series was a Marabondo header off one of the Pioneers' six corner kicks of the period, a ball that rolled just left of the post with less than 17 minutes remaining in regulation.

The two sides combined for just three shots in overtime, all coming during the first extra session. For the night, William Paterson owned a 13-7 edge in shots and a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Falduto was not forced to make a save in 110:00 minutes of action in the Pioneer net. Wood had six stops for Rowan.