Box score

Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey women’s soccer team moved into first place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings as the Lions collected 4-1 win over William Paterson University on Thursday, October 19 at Lions’ Stadium.

The Lions are now 6-0-1 in the NJAC with 19 points, moving them two points ahead of Rowan University, which is 5-0-2 in the conference. TCNJ is now 10-1-2 overall, while William Paterson slipped to 7-5-2 overall and 3-3-1 in the conference.

Things didn’t start out the Lions’ way as Pioneer sophomore Amanda Kurdyla (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) blocked a clearing attempt by TCNJ and the ball redirected into the vacant net putting the visitors out in front 1:54 into the game. The goal was Kurdyla’s 13th of the season.

The Lions needed just five minutes to pull even as sophomore Jillian Casey (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern) knocked in a loose ball following a TCNJ corner kick.

TCNJ took advantage of another corner kick with 26:27 remaining before the half as junior Dana DiBruno (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) used her body to knock in a corner taken by Kristen Cubicciotti (North Haledon, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy). The Lions then carried that 2-1 lead into the half.

The lead increased to 3-1 with 13:08 expired in the second half as junior Courtney Krol (Howell, NJ/Howell) drilled a direct kick into the near upper corner from 40 yards out for her second goal of the season.

The final goal of the game came with 8:14 left on the clock as sophomore Coleen Weber (Mullica Hill, NJ/Woodstown) netted her first of the year. Picking up an assist on the play was Erin Cunliffe (Lakewood, NJ/Lakewood).

TCNJ keeper Jessica Clarke’s (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) picked up the win despite not making a save.

In goal for the Pioneers, Jessica Reibis (Jackson, NJ/Jackson) finished with a dozen saves, while Kurdyla made two in relief.

The Lions will play a non-conference game this weekend hosting the University of Mary Washington at 3 p.m. at the new soccer complex, while the Pioneers are at Rutgers University-Newark in a 7 p.m. start.