Saturday evening, Nov. 9, the Rowan University Profs captured their fourth straight New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) championship to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA National Division III field hockey tournament.
On their home field, Rowan University (14-7, 6-0 NJAC) would score a lone goal against the College of New Jersey (TCNJ) (13-7, 5-1 NJAC) to secure the title.
After three quarters of game, the contest was still scoreless. However, it would be Rowan freshman Mia Foti to secure the game winner in the final period of regulation.
Just a minute into the fourth quarter, freshman Ella Toll blasted a shot into the circle from the 25-yard line. Junior Kylie Elwell then deflected the ball into the air past the reach of the TCNJ goalkeeper. It was then Foti who would regain control of the airborne ball to tip it into the near corner of the goal.
Rowan dominated defensively against a familiar opponent who they have faced in their three most recent conference championship victories. Rowan’s defense did not grant the TCNJ Lions a single shot and ultimately held a 12-0 shooting advantage.
Leading the defensive efforts are NJAC Defensive Player of the Year junior Tess Herman and goalkeeper junior Mariah Juiliano. During the regular season, Juiliano garnered both NFHCA and NJAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
It is the program’s 11th title and fifth under the direction of head coach Michelle Andre.
Rowan maintained a perfect conference record during the regular season, with TCNJ trailing 5-1, their only loss from their Oct. 16 matchup with the Profs, where they lost 1-2.
The Profs’ conference championship run highlights a remarkable turnaround for the team that started their season 4-7, playing against seven nationally ranked teams.
The team is now on a 10-game winning streak, not dropping a contest since their 4-0 defeat to Widener University on Oct. 9. Most notably, the Profs stunned second nationally ranked Salisbury University 2-1, on Oct. 25.
During their ten consecutive wins, Rowan defense has only allowed three goals and outscored their opponents 42-3. They end the regular season ranked 25th nationally.
Dominating the Rowan offense is NJAC Midfielder of the Year senior Allie Palumbo. The Stockton transfer leads the team with 15 goals and 48 shots on goal.
This young Rowan squad will continue its tradition of excellence and seeks another deep run in the national tournament. Last year, they saw a second-round exit after a 1-2 loss to then 10th ranked Tufts University.
The Profs will travel to rematch Ursinus College on Nov. 13 with a 4:00 p.m. start for the first round of the national tournament. Rowan fell to the Ursinus Bears in their season opener, 6-2. The Bears earned an at-large berth into the tournament, their first appearance since 2021.
