GLASSBORO, N.J. (Oct. 27, 2021) – For a while here Wednesday, it appeared that the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team would not only earn its way into the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs with a win, but would register a historic victory as well.
 
The Scarlet Raptors did reach the NJAC playoffs, but the bid for their first victory ever against Rowan University was ruined when the Profs scored two goals in the final 8:52 to stun Rutgers-Camden, 3-2. Coupled with Montclair State University posting a 1-0 win to eliminate Rutgers-Newark, the Scarlet Raptors earned the sixth and final berth in the upcoming NJAC playoffs.
 
The Scarlet Raptors will get another shot at Rowan very soon. Rutgers-Camden (5-9-2 overall, 3-5-1 NJAC) will play at third-seeded Rowan (13-4/7-2 NJAC) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the conference quarterfinals. Rutgers-Camden is 0-19-3 in its all-time series against Rowan.
 
NJAC playoffs
 
The game looked bright for the Scarlet Raptors midway through the first half as they built a 2-0 lead. Senior back Sophia Spadano scored her first career goal at 19:38, taking a short pass across the top of the box from freshman forward Emily Owens and finishing a shot to the far post. It was the second assist of the season for Owens.
 
Less than three minutes later, the Raptors struck again when freshman midfielder Alyson Petro scored off an assist from junior midfielder Maggie Horn. It was Petro's second goal and Horn's first assist this year.
 
Rowan made it a 2-1 game in the 33rd minute on a goal by Nina Carlson, who one-touched a pass across the endline into the net. It was assisted by Cassidy McErlain.
 
Rutgers-Camden held a 5-3 advantage in shots and a 2-1 edge in corner kicks in the opening half, but Rowan turned up the pressure looking for the tying goal. The Profs had a 6-1 shot advantage and a 2-0 edge in corner kicks after the break.
 
Rowan tied the game at 81:08 when Aidan Sheehan slipped a pass into the box for Emma DeMaise, who finished off her fourth goal of the season. Shortly afterward, Natalie Pantalone notched the winning goal at 84:56, taking a short cross from the endline and beating a pair of defenders.
 
Sophomore goalie Chloe Beasley made one save for the Scarlet Raptors, while Rowan played a pair of keepers. Freshman Calista Burke played the first 25:15, making one save and allowing both goals. Junior Bristol Pizzuto finished the game, making two saves.