Box Score

Ewing, NJ…The College of New Jersey netted a big non-conference win over visiting SUNY Cortland on Sunday as the Lions came away with a 3-2 victory in a showdown of nationally-ranked programs.

TCNJ (14-2) entered the game ranked fifth in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III poll, while the Red Dragons (15-2) are slotted 12th.

The Lions netted the deciding goal with 13:39 remaining as freshman Alex Okuniewicz (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South) knocked in a pass from senior Kelly Mitchell (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) on a play that originated on a penalty corner.

That goal spoiled Cortland's second-half rally that saw them overcome a 2-0 deficit at halftime. The Red Dragons started their comeback when Kylie Burghardt (Lisle, NY/Whitney Point) scored on a penalty stroke and then Lauren Eichenberger (Suffern, NY/Suffern) saw a shot deflect off of a TCNJ stick and end up in the Lion net knotting the score at two. Those goals came 4:23 apart in the early stages of the new half.

TCNJ grabbed that initial two-goal in the opening half with the first of those scores coming 8:59 into the contest. Senior Katie Reuther (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South) netted her fifth goal of the season unassisted for the 1-0 advantage.

The Lions doubled that lead in the closing minutes of the period as senior Kendra Boyd (Atlantic Highlands, NJ/Henry Hudson) converted an assist from Okuniewicz. That goal came with 4:58 showing on the clock.

For the Lions, goalie Shannon Syciarz (Garwood, NJ/Arthur L. Jackson) picked finished with four saves to earn the win.

In goal for Cortland, senior Stacy Billings (Marathon, NY/Marathon) also made four stops.

TCNJ closes out the regular season on Tuesday, November 4 hosting Drew University at 7:30 p.m. in Lions' Stadium.