Box Score

CAMDEN, N.J. – Throughout most of the first half, a stellar defensive effort by the Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer team kept its high-powered opponent, The College of New Jersey, off of the scoreboard.

The nationally-ranked Lions finally broke the scoring ice with 4:04 remaining before halftime and TCNJ went on to defeat Rutgers-Camden, 5-0, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Wednesday night.

The Lions, who are currently ranked No. 8 in the D3soccer.com Top 25 and No. 17 in the NSCAA national poll, improve to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in the NJAC, returning to their winning ways after suffering a 1-0 loss against Montclair State University Saturday. At that time, TCNJ was ranked No. 3 by D3soccer.com Top 25 and No. 4 in the NSCAA Top 25.

Rutgers-Camden, which has lost its last three games by shutout margins, falls to 3-6-1 overall and 1-3 in the conference.

The Lions own a 13-1 lead and an 11-game winning streak in the all-time series against the Scarlet Raptors, including 11 shutouts.

Despite holding a 16-4 advantage in shots in the opening half, the Lions were thwarted most of the way by the Raptor defense and eight first-half saves from senior goalie Lauren West (Mantua, NJ/Clearview Regional). Late in the half, however, TCNJ freshman forward Christine Levering (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) won the ball in the Raptors' defensive third, cut across the top of the box and launched a high shot, barely under the crossbar on the left side. It was her fourth goal of the season and her first of two goals on the night.

The Raptors managed to keep it a 1-0 game until 13:08 into the second half, when a corner kick by the Lions eventually found its way to the far side of the box. The ball was settled by sophomore midfielder Shannon White (Fairfield, NJ/West Essex), who beat a defender and drilled her second goal of the season into the right side of the net.

Only 2:43 later, Levering notched her second goal on a 25-yard direct kick. Freshman Chalen Noble (Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) and junior Gina Caprara (New Providence, NJ/New Providence) capped off the Lions' victory with goals at 82:04 and 89:15, respectively.

TCNJ finished with a 32-5 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in corner kicks. West finished with 10 saves in 64:58 of playing time for the Scarlet Raptors, while allowing the first three goals. Senior Leighanna Milby (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) played the final 25:02, making four saves and allowing two goals.

For the Lions, senior Kendra Griffith (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) picked up the victory, making three saves in 63:11. Junior Cristina Gacos (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall) played the final 26:49 and made one save, combining with Griffith to post TCNJ's sixth shutout of the season.

TCNJ returns to action Saturday with a 1 p.m. NJAC home game against Rutgers-Newark.

Rutgers-Camden's challenging NJAC schedule continues Saturday when the Scarlet Raptors play a 6 p.m. game at Montclair State. The Red Hawks are ranked No. 6 in the D3soccer.com poll, No. 10 in the NSCAA Top 25 and No. 2 in the NSCAA's South Atlantic Region.