Rowan 2, TCNJ 1: Foti’s late-quarter goal seals a sixth straight NJAC title

November 8 NCAA bracket update: Rowan faces Rhodes

The NCAA Division III bracket pairs Rowan with Rhodes in the first round on Wednesday, November 11, at 1 p.m. EST. Rowan’s automatic bid is now attached to a confirmed opponent and start time. The original NJAC championship report follows.

Earlier report

Rowan needed the final penalty corner of the third quarter to regain the lead, then an entire fourth quarter of defending to keep it. Mia Foti’s goal gave the Profs a 2-1 victory over TCNJ on Saturday and their sixth consecutive NJAC field hockey championship.

The win at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium in Glassboro sends Rowan into the NCAA Division III tournament with the conference’s automatic bid. The Profs improved to 17-4 and earned the program’s 12th NJAC title. The NCAA bracket was still awaiting its Sunday announcement when this report was published.

A corner before the horn

Chloe Yoder opened the scoring on a penalty stroke with 59 seconds left in the first quarter. TCNJ drew level with 4:45 remaining in the third when Emma McElroy finished a penalty corner off Jadyn Huff’s assist. The Lions had generated repeated opportunities before finally breaking through.

Rowan received a corner with one second left in the period. Paige Gray delivered the insert to Foti, who worked toward the right end line and lifted her shot into the far side of the cage. The finish restored the lead at the quarter’s end and left TCNJ chasing again.

Pressure without the equalizer

The Lions earned five fourth-quarter corners to Rowan’s one. Ella Morton made her last save with 1:21 remaining, denying Kendal Justus off another corner. She finished with four saves; TCNJ goalkeeper Brigitte Racey made two.

TCNJ held the overall advantages in shots, 8-7, and penalty corners, 11-4. Rowan converted the limited chances that mattered most: Yoder’s stroke and Foti’s finish. The contrast makes this a championship won through execution in both circles, with Morton protecting the lead under sustained late pressure.

Rowan’s next opponent will come from the NCAA bracket. Its place in that field is secured by the conference title; Saturday’s result leaves the Profs with another postseason opportunity after extending their NJAC streak.