Bracket | Preview
MONTCLAIR, N.J. (October 31, 2015) – The Rutgers University-Newark women's soccer team is in the semifinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship Tournament for the first time in program history. The sixth-seeded Scarlet Raiders upset third-seeded and 23rd-ranked Montclair State University, 1-0, with a goal from senior
Cristina Estremera in the 68th minute of action.
The win over MSU is the first over a ranked opponent in Rutgers-Newark women's soccer history, and after reaching the NJAC Tournament for the first time ever in 2014, the Scarlet Raiders won a conference tournament match for the first time, advancing to the NJAC semis against The College of New Jersey Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Lions Stadium in Ewing.
R-N improves to 13-7-1, while the Red Hawks suffer just their third loss of the season, dropping to 14-3-2. Coming into the game, MSU was unbeaten in its last seven and had not allowed a goal-against in four-straight victories. On the other hand, the Scarlet Raiders were able to snap a four-game skid, and scored just the ninth goal against Montclair all season long.
Estremera's goal was her 10th of the season, and first since October 5. After a foul was whistled on the hosts, Estremera came up to take the free kick from her defensive midfielder spot. The senior Scarlet Raider, who is second on the team in points and is the only R-N player in the history of the program to be named all-conference in her first three seasons, delivered when it mattered most, striking a perfect bid into the upper-left 90 from 25-yards out.
"Stepping up to the ball I wasn't sure if I should shoot or drop it in the box, but I heard someone on the sideline say shoot and that's all I needed to hear," Estremera said after the game. "I knew I hit it pretty well and when I looked up I saw it go in the upper-90."
Senior goalkeeper
Veronika Tueros played a big role in the Scarlet Raider victory, making five saves in the shutout. Tueros played well throughout the game, playing corners aggressively, knocking away crosses and making the five big stops when she had to.
Montclair ended with a 15-4 edge in overall shots, putting five on goal, also holding a 4-2 edge in corners. Tueros made three saves in the first half as the Scarlet Raider defense was able to keep a tough MSU offense off the board working around three corners in the opening 45 as well. Field position and possession was much more even in the second 45, with the Scarlet Raiders finding net at 67:19.
The shutout was the sixth of the season for Rutgers-Newark.
"Getting back to the NJAC Tournament and advancing was a goal for us all season long," added Estremera. "Being able to get a win like this as a senior makes all the hard work worth it, and I couldn't be prouder of our team. Hopefully we can keep it going Tuesday."
R-N had never beaten Montclair St. prior to Saturday and had been outscored 18-0 in the team's last four meetings, including a 4-0 loss in 2014, a 6-0 loss in 2013 and a 7-0 loss in 2012. The Scarlet Raiders and Red Hawks met just four days ago in the 2015 regular-season finale with the Red Hawks earning a 1-0 victory on a wet night at Alumni Field.
Fans can visit
www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com Monday afternoon around 1 p.m. for a complete preview of the NJAC semifinals at TCNJ.
