Kean Women’s Soccer Ends Season

By Robert Greene | Published by December 5, 2021

Multiple Kean Women’s Soccer members seasons concluded this year following a 1-0 loss in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament to Stockton University in Galloway on Oct. 30.

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  Kean finished ranked fifth in the NJAC with an overall record of 6-8-3 going 3-4-2 in conference with four wins at Alumni Stadium and two on the road. The team was fourth in goals-scored on the season in their 75 shots on goal with 13 assists and 45 points.

  The first NJAC second-team member was Junior forward Gracie Casais. She led the way offensively on the season starting 15 of the Cougars’ 16 contests. Casais, a Toms River East native, had the most shots on the team and points with seven to go with three goals.

  “My teammates and I put an incredible amount of effort into this sport and earning these awards show that hard work pays off,” Casais said. “We ultimately didn’t get the results we wanted this season, so I hope these awards, along with the want to be better, fuels us into a more successful season next year.”

  The forward is looking for a fresh start in her senior year.

  “Receiving this award definitely helps boost my confidence at this point in my career. After a fairly serious injury during my freshman year, and then a very hectic year with COVID-19, coming back and being named to the all-conference team is a very rewarding feeling. I can’t wait to see what my senior year will bring,” she said.

  Freshman forward Rebecca Zahner started in eight games and also scored three goals on the season. Zahner was third on the team in points to Casais’ and Freshman Vanessa Leon’s seven.

   Another NJAC honorable mention was Junior defender Gabi Triolo, who started in all 16 games.

    “This award motivates me moving forward because I realized that if you work hard and put in the effort, you can lead by example and affect the team in a positive way,” Triolo said. “As a team, if we work hard together we will be able to accomplish great things as a whole.”

    Triolo is also looking at the award as a confidence booster to help grow her game.

   “From a confidence standpoint, this award has taught me to not doubt myself or get disappointed from one mistake that may have been made in a game,” she said. “You learn from your mistakes which will overall make you a better player and accomplish great things.”

    Freshman goalkeeper Julia Masucci placed fourth in goals-against average in the NJAC, third in saves per game with five, played in 13 contests and started in eight of them. The rookie was fourth in shutouts with five, third in saves with 73. Masucci finished with a goals-against average of 1.113 and stopped 83.9% of shots. She was also named NJAC Rookie of the Week on Oct. 11.

 Other NJAC second-team member Celine Brady led the Cougars in shots with 21 and started in 13 games with a goal scored.

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