2025 NJAC Field Hockey Championship Central | Bracket
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GLASSBORO, NJ --- Top-seeded Rowan defeated Kean 5-1 in the NJAC Field Hockey Championship semifinal on November 5, 2025, at Coach Wackar Stadium in Glassboro.
 
Five different players found the back of the net for the Profs (16-5), who controlled the match from start to finish with a dominant offensive performance. Rowan outshot Kean 22-5 and held a commanding 20-3 advantage in penalty corners.
 
Lily Bataloni opened the scoring in the eighth minute, assisted by Tess Herman, to give Rowan an early 1-0 lead. Kean responded less than two minutes later when Madison Brege equalized off an assist from Lilly Fried at 9:48, briefly tying the match at 1-1.
 
The tie was short-lived as Rowan seized control with three unanswered goals. Gracie Merrick restored the lead in the 19th minute with an unassisted goal, and Alexa Ronning extended the advantage to 3-1 just before halftime at 24:46, assisted by Riley McClelland.
 
The Profs put the match out of reach in the fourth quarter with two quick strikes. Kaylee Wenzel made it 4-1 at 51:32, assisted by Aurelia McManis, before McClelland added an unassisted goal at 53:03 to complete the scoring.
 
Ronning and McClelland led Rowan's offensive attack, combining for eight shots with five on goal. Ronning finished with four shots and two on target to go along with her goal, while McClelland added four shots, three on goal, and scored once while also assisting on Ronning's tally. Sydney Kowalczyk was also active with four shots and three on goal.
 
Kean goalkeeper Daniella Maresca kept her team in the match as long as possible with an outstanding performance, making nine saves. Rowan's Mariah Juiliano had a quiet afternoon, making just two saves.
 
With the victory, Rowan advances to host second-seeded TCNJ in the championship game on Saturday, November 8, at Coach Wackar Stadium.