Tough One For Rowan

GLASSBORO, Nov. 3, 2009 – A #4 national ranking and half of the starting team being named first team all conference did not help Rowan tonight as it dropped a tough 1-0 decision to Stockton in the semi-finals of the NJAC tournament.
The Profs outshot Stockton, 25-5, and dominated corner kicks, 9-1, with 8 in the 2nd half. But the only stat that matter was goals scored and that went to the Ospreys on a low shot inside the right post by Laura O’Shea in the 59th minute.
It was a great night for soccer: crisp fall evening with a full moon and a nice crowd. Most of the first 15 minutes was played in the midfield and neither team had a real goal-scoring opportunity. In the 2nd half Rowan began to dominate and just three minutes in Stockton keeper Maria Dorris dove to her left to make a save. She couldn’t hold the ball, but no one from Rowan followed the shot and Dorris easily recovered.
After the Ospreys scored, Rowan picked it up, but couldn’t solve Stockton’s tactic of packing the box. There were a number of opportunities in the air but the Rowan women kept heading the ball up instead of down. Dorris was forced to make a number of tough saves, tipping over a shot by Linda Sierra with 24:45 to play and making a diving grab on a shot by Evynn Wright with 1:48 left. Perhaps the best chance was by Rowan’s top scorer, Jess Babice, who worked her way from the touchline into the box and took a clear shot from about 15 yards but over the bar.
Stockton moves on to play TCNJ in the conference final Friday night. Rowan waits until Monday to learn if it will receive an at-large NCAA bid, almost a certainty given its national ranking.
Tonight Rowan won every statistical category except the one that counts the most.