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November 9, 2002 |
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JUST DID IT! |
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VOLLEYBALL Opening round match-ups got underway on Tuesday, November 5 and the field was quickly reduced to four. Third-seeded Rowan used the double-double 25-kill and 15-dig effort of Lori Staszewski to defeat sixth-seeded defending champion Kean (20-19), 3-0 (30-28, 30-16, 30-19). Marcela Gomez and Lauren Hickman each tallied 18 digs for the Profs. On the other side of the bracket, fifth-seeded William Paterson survived a 2-1 game deficit and a match point in the deciding fifth game to top fourth-seeded NJCU (22-8), 3-2 (30-27, 25-30, 19-30, 30-26, 16-14). Lauren Shears led the Pioneers with 15 kills and four block solos, while Jen Froonjian added 13 kills in the victory. Semifinal action took place on Thursday, November 7 with third-seeded Rowan upsetting second-seeded Richard Stockton (20-14), 3-0 (30-25, 20-26, 30-26). Lori Staszewski paced the Profs with a team-high 17 kills, while Lauren Hickman and Katie Heslin each tallied 20 digs in the victory. On the other side of the bracket, number-one seed Rutgers-Newark topped fifth-seeded William Paterson (19-11), 3-0 (30-21, 30-19, 30-23). Domini Lanzone and Melissa Strom collected 17 and 11 kills respectively for the Scarlet Raiders in the victory. The 2002 NJAC Women's Volleyball Championship Match lived up to its advanced billing as third-seeded Rowan (27-8) erased a 1-0 game deficit to defeat number-one seeded Rutgers-Newark (15-10), 3-1 (26-30, 30-24, 31-29, 30-26). Lori Staszewski once again led the Profs with mach-high totals of 23 kills and 20 digs in the victory. Kristen Wieme added 17 kills, while Joelle McNulty dished out 49 assists for the Profs who hit a remarkable .318 in the victory. The win marked the first NJAC volleyball championship for Rowan (formerly Glassboro State College) since 1987. With the NJAC title in hand, the Profs are awarded the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Rowan's first round opponent and destination will be announced along with the rest of the NCAA Tournament field on the evening of Sunday, November 10. WOMEN'S SOCCER The opening round of the 2002 NJAC Women's Soccer Tournament kicked off on Tuesday, November 5 with two semifinal match-ups. Third-seeded Montclair State exploded for three first half goals and added a fourth tally in the second half for a 4-0 victory over second-seeded William Paterson (13-7-1). Four different players scored for the Red Hawks and Montclair goaltender Stephanie Romanko needed only two saves for her 12th shutout of the season. On the other side of the bracket top-seeded and three-time defending champion The College of New Jersey's lone score by Cara Gabage in the 15th minute combined with a shutout effort in the crease by goalkeeper Jackie Kemp eliminated fourth-seeded Richard Stockton (14-4-3), 1-0. The 2002 NJAC Women's Soccer Championship Match saw top-seeded The College of New Jersey (16-0-2) capture its fourth straight conference crown with a 2-0 victory over third-seeded Montclair State (11-6-2). Cara Gabage and Erin Pivovarnick each scored for TCNJ in the victory while Jackie Kemp recorded the shutout victory in goal for the Lions. Along with its NJAC title, TCNJ wins the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Lions NCAA Tournament draw is scheduled to be announced by the NCAA on the evening of Sunday, November 10. MEN'S SOCCER The 2002 NJAC Men's Soccer Tournament kicked off on Wednesday, November 6 with one of two semifinal match-ups. Second-seeded Richard Stockton scored three goals in the first 33 minutes of the match and cruised to a 4-1 victory over third-seeded Kean (16-5-0). John Epley sparked the Osprey offense with two goals and one assist for five points in the victory, while Scott Adams tallied four points on one goal and two assists. One night later on November 7, fourth-seeded The College of New Jersey upset number -one seed Rowan (15-3-2), 1-0 in a game delayed one night due to weather. TCNJ's Brett Hockenjos recorded the game-winner on a pass from Evran Asral in the 18th minute to clinch the win. Lion goalkeeper Rich Adams recorded nine saves while posting the shutout victory. The 2002 NJAC Men's Soccer Championship Match saw second-seeded Richard Stockton (18-4-0) successfully defend its conference championship with a 2-0 victory over fourth-seeded The College of New Jersey (10-7-3). John Epley tallied both goals for the Ospreys who will advance to the NCAA Tournament with the opportunity to defend their 2001 National Championship via the New Jersey Athletic Conference's automatic bid. Where and when Stockton will open its title defense will be announced by the NCAA along with the rest of the NCAA Division III men's soccer tournament field on the evening of Sunday, November 10. |
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