UNION – Kean University women’s soccer weathered heavy offensive pressure from Ramapo College before finding the breakthrough late, earning a 1-0 victory over the Roadrunners Wednesday night in the Cougars’ New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener.
Ramapo finished with a 26-10 advantage in shots and put 10 attempts on frame, but Kean goalkeeper Brooke Ginsberg kept the Roadrunners off the scoreboard with eight saves, including two crucial penalty kick stops.
The match remained scoreless through the opening 45 minutes as both teams looked for an opening. Ramapo generated the majority of the offensive pressure, but Ginsberg and the Kean defense continued to keep the Roadrunners from turning their chances into a goal.
Ramapo’s best opportunity came in the 64th minute when the Roadrunners were awarded a penalty kick following a defensive foul on Amber Maher.
Maher stepped up to take the attempt, but Ginsberg denied her low shot to the right, preserving the deadlock.
Kean continued to search for a way through as the clock wound down, and the Cougars finally found it in the 86th minute.
Kaydence Oakley redirected the ball back to Elizabeth Reisbord, who flicked it into open space. Carly Gleason ran onto the ball and finished the opportunity with a stunning left-footed volley, giving Kean a 1-0 lead with only four minutes remaining in regulation.
The goal was Gleason’s sixth of the season, adding another key moment to the senior’s strong season.
The lead, however, was immediately put under pressure.
Ramapo earned its second penalty kick of the night in the 87th minute following another foul inside the box, giving the Roadrunners a chance to erase Kean’s advantage almost immediately.
Ginsberg was there again.
The freshman goalkeeper stopped the attempt after the shot was directed straight at her, securing her second penalty save of the night and keeping the Cougars in front.
Ramapo continued to push during the closing minutes, but Kean held firm to secure the conference-opening victory.
The Cougars now turn their attention to another NJAC test, traveling to face No. 12 TCNJ on Saturday.
