CAMDEN, N.J. (Sept. 22, 2023) – It took nearly 50 minutes for the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team to notch the tying goal in its New Jersey Athletic Conference opener here Friday afternoon.
 
It took only two minutes after that to allow the winning goal.
 
William Paterson University senior Julia Fiorito scored the winning goal at 57:01 to lift the Pioneers over the Scarlet Raptors, 2-1.
 
The victory evened Paterson's record at 2-2-3 overall, while the Pioneers are 1-0 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Camden dropped to 4-4-1 and 0-1  in the NJAC.
 
The win gave Paterson an 11-8-4 lead in the all-time series. It snapped a string in which Rutgers-Camden was 4-1 in its last five contests against the Pioneers, including wins the last two years.
 
Fiorito's team-leading third goal came on a high shot into the center of the goal from near the top of the box. She scored exactly two minutes after the Scarlet Raptors tied the goal when junior back Amy Maurer tucked a header inside the far left post off a corner kick from junior Emily Owens. It was Maurer's second goal of the season and the team-leading fifth assist for Owens.
 
Playing against the wind, the Pioneers scored only 6:04 into the game. Freshman Christina Jimenez converted a cross from the right side by junior Brianna De La Cruz and hit a shot inside the left post.
 
Rutgers-Camden finished with a 17-5 advantage in shots, but only a 7-4 margin in shots on goal. The Scarlet Raptors also held a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
 
Paterson sophomore goalie Sarah Mantilla made six saves to earn the win. Rutgers-Camden junior keeper Michaela Graham had two saves.
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to NJAC play Wednesday when it travels to Ramapo College for a 3 p.m. game.