Pitts Nets Hat Trick as Cougars Advance in NJAC Tourney

GLASSBORO, N.J. (10/30/06)- Sophomore forward Amanda Pitts (Rahway, N.J.) scored three goals to lead the fifth seeded Kean University women's soccer team to a 4-2 victory over fourth seeded Rowan University in the first round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship Tournament on Monday evening.

With the scored deadlocked at two, Pitts knocked in a loose ball in front of the Profs' net at 81:37, for what proved to be the game winning goal. Pitts scored the final goal at 87:52 on a breakaway, off the assist from freshman midfielder Jenna Godwin (Kingwood, N.J.).

With the win, Kean improves to 12-3-2 and advances to the semifinals of the NJAC Championship Tournament where it will meet top seeded The College of New Jersey on Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. In the other semifinal game, second seeded Montclair State University hosts the three seed Richard Stockton College at 7:30 p.m. Rowan finishes the regular season with a 13-3-2 record, including two losses to the Cougars.

In the first half, Pitts gave Kean a 1-0 lead early in the game, as she headed in a corner kick from senior midfielder Brienne Campbell (Freehold, N.J.) at 6:26.

Profs' sophomore back Alicia Kavlunas (Mullica Hill, N.J.) tied the game on a header off a corner by sophomore midfielder Jenna Balestriere (Scotch Plains, N.J.) at 31:32.

Less than three minutes later, Cougars senior forward Heather Anzivino (Belford, N.J.) found the back of the net with a shot from just outside the 18 yard line to give Kean a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Early in the second half, Rowan tied the game when midfielder Emilie Wilson (so. Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) put back a corner kick from Balestriere at 51:09.

Rowan held a 24-12 advantage in shots, as Kean freshman goalie Nicole Groszew (Denville, N.J.) made 13 saves for the Cougars. Goalie Melissa Hall (Succasunna, N.J.) stopped five shots in the Profs' net.