Box Score LYNDHURST, N.J. – In a match which would see the loser be eliminated from Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference playoff contention, Felician University earned a 2-0 CACC women's soccer victory over visiting Chestnut Hill College on Saturday evening at the Lyndhurst Recreation Complex.
Felician (5-9-1, 4-7 CACC) kept itself in contention for the eighth and final berth in the conference tournament. A win or tie over Caldwell University on Wednesday in Lyndhurst, or a Bloomfield College loss or tie at Post University the previous day, would allow the Golden Falcons to earn their fourth consecutive postseason trip.
Felician celebrated Senior Night prior to Saturday's match. It's five seniors – Magdalena Brodka (East Rutherford, N.J./Becton Regional), Dina Ingenito (Lyndhurst, N.J./Lyndhurst), Katina Kozlowski (Milton, N.Y./Our Lady of Lourdes), Amanda Nowak (Kolbuszowa, Poland/Lyndhurst [N.J.]), and Danielle Stoll (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional) – were honored in a brief ceremony.
The teams jousted to a scoreless first half, with Felician leading, 6-3, in shots. The best opportunity for a goal for either team when Stoll's 30th-minute corner kick was played to junior Sami Lederle (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial) close to the top of the 18-yard box. Lederle snaked a low shot through traffic that beat Chestnut Hill sophomore goalkeeper Leah Peshkin (Haddon Heights, N.J./Haddon Heights), but was cleared off the goal line by a Griffin defender.
Play opened up a bit in the second period. On three occasions, Peshkin kept the match scoreless by punching a high Felician shot over the crossbar. She denied Brodka in the 47th minute, and twice turned back Lederle offerings. Felician freshman keeper Jamie Kazenmayer (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Township) was on the spot as well, making a diving save of a 59th-minute Marikate O'Toole (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) shot near the left post.
The game turned on a defensive miscue by the Griffins late in the second half. A Felician attacker lost possession, and advanced to pressure the CHC defender ahead of her. The Griffin player turned to play the ball back to Peshkin and reverse the field. But the ball was sent with too much pace and at too sharp an angle. It got by Peshkin and rolled into the center of the net for an own goal. Eleven minutes, nine seconds, remained in regulation time.
The Golden Falcons were able to hold CHC without a shot attempt during that time. Felician sealed the victory, when, with the Griffin defense pressed forward, defender Michelle Montefinese (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) sent a ball down the left side. Stoll ran onto it and created a breakaway, which she finished with 14 seconds left to play.
The Golden Falcons led in shots, 16-6, with Stoll topping all individuals with six. Kazenmayer picked up her fourth shutout of the season by making five saves. Peshkin stopped six shots for the Griffins.
Kickoff time for Felician against Caldwell on Wednesday is 5 p.m.
