Freshman Tyara McQueen collected a goal and two assists to send Roselle Catholic to a 4-1 triumph over Wildwood Catholic in the first round of the NJSIAA’s Non-Public B South Tournament on Tuesday at Chakey Field in Roselle.
It is believed to be the first state tournament victory for an RC girls’ soccer team in program history. Roselle Catholic became a co-educational institution in 1983-84.
“You made history today ladies,” RC coach Gary Carvalho told his team after the triumph. Carvalho is in his 10th year at the helm of the program following two seasons as an assistant coach.
Earlier this season, the Lions won the second division title in program history. Roselle Catholic went 8-0 to win the Union County Conference’s Sky Division championship.
Against Wildwood Catholic, Jennifer McClave, Michelle Colicchio and Kayla Whitaker also connected on goals for Roselle Catholic, which held a 2-1 lead at halftime.
The Lions received a standout, 11-save effort from senior Adia Ledbetter in net. RC was boosted by a larger-than-usual crowd as the game started at 2 p.m., and many students walked across the Gagliano Walkway of Champions to Chakey Field immediately after dismissal to support the girls’ soccer team.
Fifth-seeded Roselle Catholic (11-5-1) will play at fourth-seeded Holy Spirit of Absecon in Atlantic County on Friday (2 p.m.) in the quarterfinal round of the sectional tournament.