GLASSBORO, NJ - The State University of New York New Paltz women's soccer team faced another nationally ranked test Saturday evening, traveling to New Jersey for a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) matchup against undefeated No. 4 Rowan University. The Hawks battled the nationally ranked Profs throughout the 90 minutes but ultimately fell in a tightly contested 1-0 decision.
SUNY New Paltz (5-5, 1-3 NJAC) turned in a gritty defensive performance against Rowan (9-0, 4-0 NJAC), becoming just the second team this season to hold the nationally ranked Profs to a single goal, joining No. 8 Messiah. The Hawks also became the first unranked opponent to accomplish the feat, keeping the contest within reach throughout the full 90 minutes. Junior goalkeeper Jess Centeri anchored the defensive effort with six saves, while SUNY New Paltz generated six of its seven shots in the second half.
Rowan applied pressure early, testing Centeri just 23 seconds into the contest as Bella Clark directed an attempt on frame. The Hawks' goalkeeper was up to the task, making the opening save before denying Bella Moore in the 10th minute to keep the contest scoreless.
The Profs continued pushing forward, earning consecutive corner opportunities in the 14th and 17th minutes. Rowan eventually broke through at the 18:09 mark, as Cailey Bozinis fired a shot from the right edge of the penalty area across the face of goal and into the far side of the net, giving the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
SUNY New Paltz looked to respond as the opening half progressed, with Samantha Gemmo generating the Hawks' first shot on goal in the 29th minute. However, Rowan goalkeeper Enya Carthy turned away the attempt to preserve the one-goal advantage.
The Hawks' defensive unit held firm for the remainder of the half, limiting the Profs to six total shots through the opening 45 minutes while keeping the deficit at one heading into the break.
SUNY New Paltz emerged from halftime with renewed offensive energy, beginning to find more opportunities in the attacking third. Jess Avila registered the Hawks' first attempt of the second half in the 55th minute before Jamie Seccafico and Gemmo followed with shots just over a minute later, putting the Rowan defense under pressure.
The hosts threatened to extend their advantage in the 58th minute, but Centeri denied Angela Oliveto to keep SUNY New Paltz within striking distance.
The Hawks continued their offensive push as Alyssa Deutsch tested Carthy with an attempt toward the upper portion of the cage in the 59th minute, forcing the Rowan goalkeeper into another save. Deutsch followed with another opportunity in the 67th minute, but her attempt sailed high.
Rowan responded with a stretch of offensive pressure, but Centeri continued standing tall between the posts. The junior turned away Clark in the 68th minute before denying Kylee Ferranto in the 73rd and Oliveto in the 76th, preserving the one-goal margin.
SUNY New Paltz continued searching for an equalizer in the closing minutes, but the Profs held on to secure the narrow 1-0 victory.
Gemmo led the Hawks offensively with three shots, including one on goal, while Deutsch added two attempts and one shot on target. Seccafico and Avila each contributed a shot.
Centeri finished with six saves across the full 90 minutes, including four in the second half, anchoring a SUNY New Paltz defensive effort that limited the undefeated Profs to a single goal.
Rowan held a 12-7 advantage in shots and a 7-0 edge in corner kicks, while SUNY New Paltz generated six of its seven attempts in the second half.
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