BOX SCORE

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson (5-7-1, 2-5-1 NJAC) helped its own cause with a critical 3-1 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) women's soccer victory against Rutgers-Newark (4-14, 0-7 NJAC) Oct. 22 on Senior Day.

Tied for the sixth and final NJAC Tournament bid heading into the day's action, the Pioneers kept pace with the win.  WP has completed league play with seven points (2-5-1), but will not know its fate until the completion of the schedule by the other conference teams on Oct. 26.

Junior Laela Brock (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) sprinted down the right flank and beat Scarlet Raider keeper Victoria Nunez inside the left post 44 seconds into the second half for her third goal of the year.  Junior Michelle Marabondo (Kenvil, N.J./Roxbury) finished a Sophie Hart-Ruderman (Maplewood, N.J./Columbia) cross to the right post to make it a 2-0 score in the 85th minute.  Hart-Ruderman then completed the Pioneer scoring less than two minutes later, knocking in a pass from Megan Droelle (Hampton, N.J./North Hunterdon).

Liana Abreu broke up the shutout with a long ball played from the left flank with 2:29 remaining, floating it into the upper-right corner of the goal.

The Pioneers had opportunities throughout the match, owning a 19-4 shot advantage, including a ball Hart-Ruderman rang off the cross bar less than three minutes into the match, and a Marabondo shot off the post with 15 minutes left.

Sophomore Alyssa Falduto (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) made two saves for WP, and Nunez had seven for Rutgers-Newark.

Prior to the match, the Pioneers honored their six seniors – Droelle, Jessica Francisco (Manalapan, N.J./Manalapan), Ashley Grabowski (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge), Hart-Ruderman, Kristina Laureigh (Lanoka Harbor, N.J./Lacey Twp.) and Heidi Rogers (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional).

William Paterson will finish the regular season Wednesday, Oct. 26, with a non-conference match at Kean at 7:00 p.m.