Visiting Sussex County Community College needed just 46 seconds to score a goal when center midfielder Jessenia Velez poked one into the nets for a quick 1-0 lead.
It was the lone goal the Skylanders would net, and as it turned out, all they would need as they hung on to beat the Roadrunner women's soccer team 1-0 Saturday.
RCSJ sophomore goalkeeper Allison Gebhart and her defensive line executed flawlessly the rest of the way in holding the potent Sussex offense in check and giving the Runners a fighting chance to upend a powerful opponent.
"This was a great test for us," said Runners' coach Megan Ruttler afterwards. "I told the players they should be proud of their efforts. This was a tough opponent and we came close to pulling it off. We're definitely better heading into the rest of our schedule."
The relentless Skylanders' offense, which had scored 24 goals in the team's first four matches, came at the Runners' defense with everything they had. But ultimately Gebhart slammed the door with a number of spectacular saves.
"The defense in front of me did a great job -- they had my back the whole game," said Gebhart, a former Delsea Regional High School standout. "I'm glad I was able to do my part -- and I feel we're capable of winning of we played them again."
The Runners' offense managed a few shots on goal, with one open shot near the goal cage in the second half sailing high. But the Skylanders (3-1) hung on. The loss dropped the Roadrunners to 1-2 overall.
"We've improved quite a bit in all three of our games, and this was our best effort yet," noted Coach Ruttler.
Next up for the Roadrunners will be a meeting with Region XIX foe Brookdale on Saturday, May 1.
Men's Soccer vs. Sussex
The Roadrunner Men's Soccer team dropped a heart-breaking 1-0 decision to the visiting Skylanders in the second game of the Men's/Women's doubleheader.
The Runners managed five shots on goal, including two by star forward Sinan Tuzcu, all stopped by Sussex goalkeeper Alex Davis.
Sussex grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal by forward Keiran Oullette.
The Skylanders improved to 3-0 overall while Coach George Hobbins' Runners dropped to 3-3.