Ewing, NJ…It was no surprise when the top two defensive teams in the New Jersey Athletic Conference squared off on Thursday in a key women's soccer match, the game ended in a scoreless draw.
 
The College of New Jersey and Rowan University were playing for a chance to earn a bye in the opening round of the NJAC Tournament, and by virtue of earning one point the Profs (22 points) grabbed that second spot trailing only Montclair State (24 points) in the standings. The Lions (20 points) secured the third spot and will host sixth-seeded Kean University on Saturday, October 27 at 5 p.m. in Lions' Stadium.
 
The Profs (12-2-1, 7-1-1 NJAC) came into the game sitting atop the conference in goals-against-average allowing a mere 0.29 goals per game, while the Lions (14-1-2, 6-1-2) were a close second at 0.31. Both defensive units lived up to their billing by not allowing a goal over the course of 110 minutes.
 
Prior to the game, TCNJ honored its nine seniors for their hard work and dedication to the program. That group included Allyson Anderson (Point Pleasant, NJ/Point Pleasant), Katie Cornacchia (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood), Jessica Davila (Middletown, NJ/Middletown), Allison Foy (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert), Maria Grady (Sewell, NJ/Our Lady of Mercy Academy), Kyra Janeczek (Allenwood, NJ/Wall), Katie Landrigan (Rutherford, NJ/Rutherford), Brenna Rubino (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern), and Amy Van Dyk (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo).
 
TCNJ had the best scoring chance in the opening half with Jordan Downs (Brick, NJ/Brick) serving a corner kick into the Rowan penalty area that freshman Taylor Lusardi (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) headed on goal. Prof keeper Maria Dorris (Mantua, NJ/Clearview Regional) was able to move to her right and make smother the ball.
 
The Lions did have a chance in the game as they were awarded a free kick from the near wing less than two minutes left. Downs hooked the shot around the Rowan wall, but Dorris was again there to make the save. Dorris finished the game with three saves.
 
Rowan did threaten early in the second 10-minute overtime with a pair of corner kicks, but both times TCNJ's defense held.
 
Lion freshman Jessica Weeder (Randolph, NJ/Randolph) made her first collegiate start and had one save to earn the shutout.