Cougars Fall to TCNJ in NJAC Semis, 2-1

Ewing, N.J. (11/1/06) - Eighth-ranked The College of New Jersey women's soccer team got a goal from junior Kristen Cubicciotti (North Haledon, N.J.) midway through the second half, as the Lions advanced to the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship by slipping past visiting Kean University, 2-1 on Wednesday.

The top-seeded Lions (14-1-2) will now host the NJAC Championship game on Saturday, November 4 at TCNJ's Soccer Complex in a 2 p.m. start. TCNJ will face second-seeded Montclair State University.

The Lions are the defending champions and have captured the NJAC title in 10 of the previous 12 years.

With the loss, the Cougars dropped to 12-4-2.

Cubicciotti's goal came in the 65th minute as she sent a low shot through a maze of players that found its way into the near corner of the net. The goal, which was Cubicciotti's second of the year, was set up by a pass from freshman Melissa Martin (Skillman, N.J.).

The teams exchanged goals in the opening half with the host Lions getting on the board first. Sophomore Jamie Kunkel (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) netted her fourth of the year off of an assist from freshman Kyle Campisi (Chester, N.J.). That goal came 18:10 into the game.

The Lions had several other chances to add to their lead getting three different shots behind Kean keeper Nicole Groszew (Denville, N.J.), but on each a occasion a Cougar defender was there to clear the ball before it crossed the goal line.

The Cougars then got the equalizer with 6:34 left before the break as senior Heather Anzivino (Belford, N.J.), the conference's leading scorer, accepted a nice pass from classmate Allison Fream (Point Pleasant, N.J.) and sent a low shot inside the near post for her 19th goal of the year.

TCNJ keeper Jessica Clarke (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) picked up the win making three saves.

Groszew finished the game with eight saves for the Cougars.