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(Galloway, NJ) – Fourth-seeded Richard Stockton (16-3-2) advanced to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) semifinals with a solid 2-0 win over fifth-seeded William Paterson (9-8-2) in the first round of the league tournament. The Ospreys will face top seed Montclair State on Wednesday.

Stockton scored a goal in each half during the physical game. Jacque Becker (Hamilton Twp./Steinert) started the scoring with a tip in of a crossing pass from Jessica Balnis (Dorothy/Buena) for a 1-0 lead. Balnis broke through the Pioneers defense and found a wide open Becker for the easy tap in at the 19:53 mark. The Ospreys held the 1-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Stockton picked up the insurance goal after a flurry of activity in front of the Pioneers' net. Kiera Hines (Deptford/Deptford) poked in the rebound after a shot by Dailey Todd (Millville/Millville) was stopped by William Paterson goalie Alyssa Falduto. Hines' goal came with 12:56 left in regulation and sealed Stockton's trip to the conference semifinals. 

Stockton held a 12-1 shot advantage for the game. Ospreys' goalkeeper Sarah Hinkle (Mullica Hill/Paul VI) picked up her fifth solo shutout of the season, making just one save. Mary Jane Seiler, who suffered the loss, started for the Pioneers before giving way to Falduto at the half. Each WPU goalkeeper made three saves on the day.

Stockton's next game is on the road as the Ospreys will face Montclair State, the No. 1 seed for the NJAC tournament, in the semifinals on Wednesday at 7 pm.