Galloway, N.J. – Stockton University (10-5-5) was denied in its bid for a second consecutive berth in the NJAC championship game as the No. 2 seed Ospreys were nipped 1-0 by No. 3 seed Rowan University (14-3-4) in the semifinal round of the NJAC Tournament.
 
The match was a well-played affair between a pair of teams that are in the Also Receiving Votes section of the United Soccer Coaches national poll.
 
Stockton goalkeeper Kyle Birmingham (Budd Lake/Mount Olive) tied his career high with seven saves, including a few excellent stops later in the game that kept the margin at one and gave his team a chance to tie.
 
The Ospreys had the better of the possession and recorded 10 shot attempts while allowing just four in the scoreless first half. Rowan's Christian McGillen broke through in the 60th minute for the game's only goal.
 
Ernst Louisius (Asbury Park/Neptune) had a good scoring chance on a header that sailed just over the crossbar shortly before Rowan took the lead.
 
Dawson Joseph (East Brunswick/East Brunswick) nearly tied the game in the 78th minute, but his sharp-angle shot from the left side was knocked away on a leaping save by Rowan keeper Travis Holiday for the best of his four stops on the night.
 
Stockton reached double figures in victories for the third time in the last four seasons under head coach Greg Ruttler, who was joined by his assistants as the NJAC Coaching Staff of the Year.