Despite rainy, windy and miserable conditions Friday afternoon, freshman Crystal Johnson delivered the finest moment of the season.
That's when Johnson netted the winning goal in the second overtime as the Roadrunner Women's Soccer team edged visiting Union CC, 2-1 to win the District East B title and earn a berth to the NJCAA D-III National Championship Tournament.
With time running out in the OT and after the Runners narrowly missed a scoring opportunity, Johnson found herself alone in front of the net. Johnson connected quickly as the ball landed in the left corner of the net to clinch the win.
"I got a nice pass from Melina (Towlen), and there I was alone against their goalkeeper," said Johnson, an All-Region 19 honoree. "I just shot it as soon as I could and luckily it went in."
The goal was Johnson's 11th of the season but arguably the most important of her career at RCSJ or even at Gloucester City High, where she played her scholastic soccer.
Earlier, the Runners used a clutch first half goal from freshman midfielder Ella Van Dine, a former Gloucester Catholic standout, to claim a 1-0 lead. Van Dine accepted a pass from freshman star Bailey Swietanski as she raced down the left side of the field. She fired a shot from several feet out, a shot that bounced off the goalkeeper before trickling in.
That lead held up until late in the second half when the Owls tied it at 1-1 with a quick goal, and that's how it ended in regulation. Following a scoreless first overtime period, the game went into the second OT period when the outcome was settled.
"I had a feeling the 1-0 lead would not hold up," said RCSJ head coach Megan Ruttler, whose team is now 12-2 and heading to the D-III National Tournament. "You can always count on Union making you work right until the very end!"
Tournament Preview
Dangerous. Challenging. Call it whatever you like, but a lot will be on the line when the Roadrunner Women's Soccer team meets Union County College Friday at home for the NJCAA District East B Championship in a 2 pm start.
The No. 2 Runners won both regular season matches by scores of 3-2 and 1-0, but don't think that 2-0 mark vs. the No. 3 Owls means anything, especially since the winner Friday will earn a berth in the upcoming NJCAA Women's Soccer Division III National Championship Tournament.
Coach Megan Ruttler's team enjoyed a fine Fall 2021 campaign, compiling an impressive 11-2 record and No. 6 NJCAA Division III national ranking.
But none of that matters to either head coach Ruttler or All-Region 19 forward Bailey Swietanski, who fully realize their season is on the line against a quality opponent.
"It's always scary playing a team three times in a row in a given season," said Swietanski, a former West Deptford High star who has seen her share of important games both in high school and now at RCSJ. "The first two times we went out and played them -- it was a real struggle, especially our last game. But I feel we're well prepared for tomorrow and that we'll do well."
Ruttler, whose team has developed a long-standing playoff rival with Union, did her best this week to wipe away memories of the regular season wins among her players.
"For sure it's hard to beat a team twice in one season let alone three times," said Ruttler. "We're playing against a competitive program, and it could go either way. And the players absolutely know this."
Thanks to their solid 2021 season, the Runners have earned many postseason accolades.
Five RCSJ-Gloucester women's players were named to the NJCAA All-Region 19 team released this week. Roadrunner All-Stars from Ruttler's team who were selected include:
First Team Forward
Crystal Johnson
First Team Defender
Keri Leach
First Team Midfield
Nikki Tricocci
Second Team Forward
Bailey Swietanski
Second Team Midfield
Alyssa Meglino
"It feels good to be honored," said Bailey Swietanski. "I feel like all of our hard work is really paying off."
But despite the accolades, Ruttler is hoping her players can get past Union and earn the berth to the National Championship Tournament.
"It's what we've worked for all season, and it always comes down to one game like this," Ruttler said. "We won't be handed anything -- we'll need to play at our highest level to go to Nationals."
To view the entire Region 19 teams, click on the link below:
https://www.region19.org/sports/wsoc/2021-22/releases/20211023ledewn
NJCAA District East B Championship
Region 19
Women's Soccer Championship
Friday, October 29, 2 pm (Weather Permitting)
RCSJ Gloucester vs. Union County College
@RCSJ Soccer Stadium / Deptford, NJ
Game Time: 2:00 pm (Weather permitting)
Records:
Unior County, 7-5-1 overall
RCSJ, 11-2 overall
http://RCRoadrunners.com/WatchLive
Bracket Release on Oct. 21
The Roadrunner Women's Soccer team has earned the No. 2 seed in the upcoming NJCAA Region 19 Division III tournament.
Coach Megan Ruttler's Runners will play a familiar rival in the Bracket B Championship game when they face off against No. 3 Union County College. The Runners won both regular season matches vs. the Owls this season and have a long playoff history vs. their traditional rival. RCSJ-Gloucester will host the championship game on Friday, October 29 in a time to be determined.
Division III Women's Soccer Bracket Released
https://www.region19.org/sports/wsoc/2021-22/releases/20211020wq987x
The Region 19 soccer committee released the Women's Division III Soccer bracket on Wednesday, with Brookdale earning the No. 1 seed.
Bracket "A" will feature No. 4 Camden vs No. 5 Ocean on October 23rd, with the winner advancing to the "A" Bracket finals to face the Jersey Blues.
Bracket "B" features No. 2 RCSJ-Gloucester and No. 3 Union County College, who will both receive byes to the "B" championship game.
The winner of the "A" bracket and winner of the "B" bracket will both advance to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament
