Posted: Oct 22, 2018
Megan Lord (Glassboro) headed in the game-winning goal 33 minutes into the first half for the game's only score to help the Roadrunner women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Middlesex County College in a Region XIX playoff game at home on Saturday.
The Runners improved to 12-5 overall in beating the Colts for the second time this Fall.
Lord, a Region XIX All-Star midfielder, broke loose from a defender into perfect position to deflect a Kylie Guarente's pass into goal on a header from 10 feet out at the 33:00 mark.
First-year goalkeeper Michelle Salamoni (Washington Twp.) recorded the shutout in the nets.
The 1-0 lead held firm the rest of the way to help the Roadrunners advance to the Region XIX Division III championship tournament next Friday at Ocean County College.
Tournament Preview
Women's Assistant Soccer Coach Torre Flynn made the transition from player last season to the coaching sidelines this Fall. So the former Roadrunner standout and former Clearview Regional High star can relate to the excitement surrounding RCGC's NJCAA Region XIX Division III semifinal game Saturday against visiting Middlesex CC in a 12 noon start.
The Roadrunners' season began with a 5-4 start, but the team hit their stride by winning 6 of their final 7 matches to finish with a solid 11-5 record. And Flynn feels that sizzling-hot close to the season will make a difference for the defending Region XIX champions, who hope to make a return trip to the NJCAA D-III National Championship Tournament.
"Everything came together at the end -- the coaches felt it, and I know the players did too," said Flynn. "I remember the excitement entering the playoffs as a player, and there's a lot of confidence with this team right now."
As the offense came alive after midseason, so too did the Regional honors. Second-year standouts Megan Lord (Glassboro) and Josie O'Donnell (Holy Cross) were selected as Region XIX First-Team All-Stars as midfielders. Lord led the club with 11 goals scored.
Earning spots on the Second Team were Angelina Mowad, midfielder; Dehlia Fynes, forward; and Kayla Davila, defender. McKenna Dowd was selected for the Third Team as a defender. Goalkeeper Michelle Salmomi (Washington Twp.), meanwhile, finished the regular season with 8 shutouts and a solid 1.00 goals against average.
Coach Megan Ruttler's team enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed -- the Runners defeated Middlesex in a regular season contest.
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