RCSJ Gloucester advances to NJCAA Division III semifinal after 2-1 win

Leigh Swietanski had a goal and an assist to lead the Roadrunners to a 2-1 win over Herkimer College on Wednesday

Leigh Swietanski had an assist and a goal to lead the RCSJ Gloucester to a 2-1 win over Herkimer College in the NJCAA Division III quarterfinals in Cranford, N.J. on Wednesday afternoon.

The Roadrunners’ leading scorer (10 goals, 4 assists in 9 games) helped set up the opening goal just past the half hour mark when she got free in the box and put a ball on a platter across the face of goal to set up Gabrielle Cirucci for an easy finish.

Herkimer responded less than a minute later to tie the game up when Kayla Suppa pounced on a ball misplayed by the Roadrunners keeper to level the game up at 1-1. But it was Swietanski this time on the receiving end of a good pass to head in an offering from Miranda Uzdavines that put the Roadrunners back in front going into the break.

The Roadrunners had a number of chances after the break to extend their lead and put the game out of reach for Herkimer but the Generals had life for stretches too as they searched for an equalizer that ultimately never came.

Gloucester’s reward for the victory is a Thursday afternoon semifinal with Brookhaven, which won their quarterfinal match over Suffolk County 14-1 on Wednesday.