​​​​They showed up -- Wow, did they ever!​​​ The RCGC Women's Soccer team rolled past Brookdale Community College 4-0 Tuesday at Snyder Park in Berekely Heights, NJ to capture the NJCAA Region XIX Championship, and the Runners dominated simply by playing a solid game from from start to finish.

In the process the Roadrunners handed Coach Megan Ruttler her 100th career victory in what proved to be a memorable afternoon in RCGC Athletics. The win also marked the seventh Region XIX championship in the history of the women's soccer program and clinched a berth in next week's National Championship Tournament in Dryden, NY. ​

"It's an honor to win my 100th game and a region championship at the same time," said Ruttler, an eighth-year coach whose team finished as NJCAA National runnerup in 2012. "These young ladies deserve this title today -- they earned it.  At the same time, many players have contributed to our success at RCGC through the years, and it's great to reflect. on this.​"

Standout freshman Megan Lord netted two goals and sophomore Ashley Engler added another score to help the Runners out to a 3-0 halftime advantage. Freshman Madelyn Buchanan added a second-​half goal while goalkeeper Jenni DeVault recorded the shutout to preserve the win. Lord was selected as the game's Most Valuable Player while Shanna Bryson was chosen as Defensive Player of the Game. 

Engler also opened up several potential scoring opportunities while Buchanan collected a goal and an assist. 

Ruttler's team had faced the Jersey Blues in a regular season contest in September, winning easily 4-0 -- however, this triumph had a completely different feel.

"We had a tough first half in the regular season game before we came back to win it," Ruttler commented. "Today, we showed up. We were attacking at the opening whistle. We stayed aggressive. We weren't going to be denied, and you knew it right away."

Photo Highlights of Region XIX Championship Game

While the entire team performed well, Ruttler was particularly happy with efforts from Engler and Buchanan. "Ashley was all over the field and created  lot of scoring opportunites," Ruttler said. "Madelyn (Buchanan) also had a great game, and we're proud of her efforts."

Buchanan, who played scholastic soccer at Williamstown High, enjoyed playing a key role in the victory.

"We really deserved to win today, and I'm thrilled to have have contributed," she commented. "Our team keeps improving all the time, and we don't always receive the credit we should.  We're excited to win Region XIX."​

The Roadrunners now advance to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament ​​, which will be played November 9-12 at Tompkins Cortland Community College's Panther Stadium in Dryden, NY. 

Ruttler is the winningest women's soccer coach in RCGC history. The Runners, 17-2 overall, are No. 10 in the latest NJCAA Division III National Rankings. 

Photo (this page): Head Coach Megan Ruttler (center) celebrates the Region XIX title and her 100th career win with Assistant Coaches Julie Chini-Dundee (left) and Liz Faulkner (right).