BOX SCORE

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – William Paterson (1-2, 0-1 NJAC) twice rallied from one-goal deficits, but host New Jersey City (7-0, 1-0 NJAC) was able to score the game winner in the second overtime session of a 3-2 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) women's soccer match Sept. 17.

Sophomore Brianna Taylor scored her fourth goal of the season, winning a ball near the midfield circle, dribbling into open space, and unleashing a shot from 35 yards over the backpedaling keeper, burying it into the upper right corner. 4:17 into the contest.

Jennifer Albuja nearly made it 2-0 at the 23:31 mark when she received a pass on the far left wing and unloaded a shot that rang off the right post before being cleared out by the WP defense. Albuja and Julia Caseres had near breakaways in the 38th and 39th minutes before heading to the intermission up by one goal.  WP held a 6-5 edge in shots at halftime, and a 23-12 margin overall.

The Pioneers finally tied the game at the 62:53 mark. Senior Sophie Hart-Ruderman (Maplewood, N.J./Columbia) dribbled onto the right endline and crossed a ball into the box that Michelle Marabondo (Kenvil, N.J./Roxbury) one-timed home.

NJCU went back on top just 5:08 later. Amanda Spethmann made a long throw from the right sideline into the box that Caseres headed into the goalmouth, over a defender and onto the head of Albuja on the left post, who slipped a header between the legs of a sliding Alyssa Falduto (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) in the 69th minute.

NJCU's defense played well but the Pioneers were able to cash in on their pressure at the 79:33 mark. Junior Laela Brock (Paramus, N.J./Paramus) flicked a pass into the box and Marabondo beat Brittany Hoffman with a shot inside the left post, tying the game at 2-2. It was her seventh goal of the week, after scoring five times against Centenary on Sept. 14.

In overtime, the Pioneers had a 7-2 shots advantage, but only one was on target. WP's last dangerous look came early in the 104th minute of double overtime.

The Knights won it early in the 108th minute. Amanda Filippone launched a long throw-in from the left sideline, over the Pioneer defense. On the left wing, with her back to the goal, Caseres flicked a side-header into the box where Albuja got a foot on the ball before Falduto could dive on it. Side-stepping the keeper, Albuja knocked a now uncontested game winner into the right side netting.

Hoffman made 11 saves for NJCU, and Falduto three for WP.

William Paterson will host Montclair State Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 7:00 p.m.