TOMS RIVER, NJ - The Union Owls women's soccer team captured the 2018 Region XIX Championship blanking the Roadrunners of Rowan College of Gloucester Country 3-0. With the victory, the Owls advance to the 2018 NJCAA Women's Soccer National Championship Tournament scheduled for November 8-11 in Rockford, IL hosted by Rock Valley College. This is the first time Union's women's soccer team has won a Region XIX Championship and it will be their inaugural appearance in the NJCAA National Championship Tournament.
The Owls struck with two goals in the first half of the game. Sophomore, Sophia Melendez with an assist from sophomore, Steffany Marroquin got Union on the scoreboard first in the 34th minute of the game. Only five minutes later, in the 39th minute, the Owls stuck again for their second goal of the game. It was a pass from sophomore, Maya Lawler to sophomore, Monica Flores who put the ball in the back of the net to end the scoring for the half. In the second half the Owls had multiple chances to put more goals on the board, but the final goal was not tallied until the 90th minute of the game. It was sophomore, Barbara Ferreira with the assist from Flores who was able to put one past the Roadrunners goalkeeper to make the final score 3-0. Union goalkeeper, sophomore, Lauren Buchanan was perfect once again as she turned away 11 shots in the win. Head coach Angie Correia commented on the win, "I am proud of how the team played today. They were resilient and executed our game plan well." Flores was named Offensive MVP of the Region XIX tournament, while her fellow teammate Lawler was named Defensive MVP of the tournament.
Union improves their overall record to 14-1-1 on the season. They will await who their first round opponent is in the NJCAA Women's Soccer National Tournament beginning Thursday, November 8th. The NJCAA women's soccer committee will announce the seeds for the eight team tournament sometime on Wednesday, October 31.
National Ranking
The Union Owls women's soccer team was ranked #8 in the nation in the most recent NJCAA poll.
You're Not Getting It Past Her
Sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Buchanan has only allowed four goals all season. She currently sits atop the NJCAA save percentage statistic page with a .978.
The Architect Does Matter
Angie Correia, in only her second season as Union's head coach, has been the architect behind building the women's soccer program. Her 26-3-3 career record shows she has put together the blueprints into what it takes to build a championship program.