BOX SCORE

MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Sixth-seeded William Paterson (5-8-2) played to a scoreless draw through two overtimes at third-seeded Montclair State (13-4-2) in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Women's Soccer Tournament Oct. 31, but the Red Hawks advanced to the semifinals thanks to a 3-1 edge during the penalty-kick shootout.

The Pioneers got the first chance during the PKs, but Nicole Kufel's (Oradell, N.J./River Dell Regional) attempt was snared by MSU goalkeeper Gina Policastro.  Francesca Gibson countered with a conversion for the Red Hawks, and sophomore Taylor Zabicki (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) was successful on her attempt for WP in the second round.  She was matched by Montclair's Jenna Carroll, and the Red Hawks led, 2-1.

Policastro came up big again, stopping Michelle Marabondo (Kenvil, N.J./Roxbury) to start off the third round. Rachel Senyszyn knocked in her attempt for a 3-1 Montclair State lead, and William Paterson's Ashley Grabowski (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge) needed to convert her attempt to keep the Pioneers' hopes alive.  However, her shot caromed off the post.

Policastro made four saves as she collected her seventh shutout of the season.  Sophomore Alyssa Falduto (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) had five saves for WP for her third blank sheet.

Montclair State outshot William Paterson 19-8 in the contest, but the Pioneers made the most of their opportunities with three attempts on goal during the first 45 minutes, including a header by senior Heidi Rogers (River Vale, N.J./Pascack Valley Regional) in front of the net at the 40:42 mark that was smothered by Policastro.

Falduto would come up with a key save of her own less than minute later as she denied Kaila Fasano with 3:35 left, sending the teams to halftime scoreless.

Neither team managed much in the second half, getting just one shot on goal apiece.  In the first overtime, Falduto stopped two more shots, including back-to-back attempts by Allison Wacker and Senyszyn midway through the period.
Montclair State would come within inches of getting the game winner in the second OT as Carroll blasted a shot from 35 yards out that clipped the top of the crossbar.  The shot was eerily similar to Carroll's game-winning goal against the Pioneers in the regular-season meeting, a 1-0 Red Hawk overtime win (Sept. 21).