MIDDLESEX WOMEN'S SOCCER BEATS UNION, MANHATTAN CC TO EXTEND WINNING STREAK TO 4

Middlesex College Women's Soccer continued their winning ways, capturing two victories this weekend in games against Union and Manhattan CC.

The Colts topped Union 4-0 on Friday and then handled Manhattan CC 9-1 on Sunday. Middlesex is now 5-3 on the season.

Against Union (1-3-1), Middlesex dominated from the start, applying consistent pressure against the Owls who had a largely defensive game plan.

Middlesex finally broke through with a goal in the 16^th minute when Esmaralda Castellanos-Jimenez (Freshman/Monroe, NJ) converted a pass from Genesis Garces-Gomez (Sophomore/North Plainfield, NJ). Castellanos-Jimenez scored her second goal a little over three minutes later to extend the lead to 2-0.

Isabelle Marin (Sophomore/South Plainfield) gave Middlesex a 3-0 lead that they would take into the half and Zoe Bozzone (Bayonne, NJ) had the final tally for the Colts to give them their 4-0 win.

Union managed just two shots on goal, both of which were saved by Gabriela Ardon (Freshman/Linden, NJ), who posted the shutout in goal. Ardon provided the most exciting part of the game when Union was awarded a penalty kick. Ardon made a sprawling save on the kick, but the referees ruled that there was early movement and nullified Ardon's save. On Union's second attempt, Ardon made another diving save to protect the shutout win.

Against Manhattan CC, Garces-Gomez got the Colts off to a fast start with two goals in the first 15 minutes. Adrianna Martucci (Freshman/Sayreville, NJ) and Emely Solano (Freshman/Piscataway, NJ) also scored first half goals as Middlesex carried a 4-0 lead into the half.

The Colts continued their offensive outburst in the second half with five more goals. Castellanos-Jimenez. Solano, Sara Sanchez (Carteret, NJ) and Emily Ramon (Freshman/Piscataway, NJ) each scored a goal in the second half and Marin added two goals in the half as well.

Ardon picked up the win in goal for Middlesex, saving two of the three shots she faced.

Marin finished the game with two goals and three assists and continues to be one of the top scoring women's soccer players in the country. Her 31 points lead Region 19 and rank third nationally among NJCAA Division III players. Her 12 goals also lead Region 19 and rank fourth in the country. Garces-Gomez is ranked fifth in the country among NJCAA Division III players with 10 goals. Only eight other Division III players have reached double-digit goals to this point in the season.

The Colts currently sit third in the standings in Region 19 and their next match is scheduled for Tuesday when they travel to RCSJ-Cumberland for a 4PM start. RCSJ-Cumberland is one spot behind Middlesex in the standings in fourth place.