Sophomore midfielder Melina Towlen has experienced a collegiate soccer career like few players have.

A graduate of Ewing High School, Towlen capped her Roadrunner career Thursday during the NJCAA D III National Championships when she scored a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Bristol Community College.

It proved to be an unexpected conclusion to a memorable career that produced many highlights, such as:

* Scoring two game-winning goals as a sophomore, including a game-winner over nationally ranked Brookdale in September. 

* Helping her teams qualify for two straight national tournament appearances.

* Helping her team reach a No. 2 national ranking in 2021 following a near tragedy when she and her teammates were trapped in a tornado in Wenonah, NJ.

Towlen enrolled her freshman year at Immaculata University in 2020. But the pandemic forced her to switch gears and transfer to RCSJ Gloucester for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. It was a decision she was glad she made.

"I really enjoyed my time here -- my teammates and the coaching staff have been great," she commented.

Playing in back to back national championship tournaments has also been memorable, especially Thursday's win over Bristol CC.

She will also never forget the South Jersey tornadoes of 2021 when she and her teammates attended a team bonding party and ended up escaping near-tragedy when storms devastated the area.

"We were incredibly lucky and grateful to survive," she said. "We became so close as a team because of that experience."

Her RCSJ career came to a conclusion Thursday with perhaps one of the best games turned in by a Roadrunner this season,

"I never expected to score three goals in any game, let alone a tournament," said Towlen. "This was a special moment for me personally."