Box Score

Ewing, NJ… Junior Leigh Mitchell (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) recorded a hat trick as The College of New Jersey field hockey team opened conference play with a 5-0 shutout win over William Paterson University on Saturday at Lions' Stadium.

The win put the 12th-ranked Lions at 1-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and 7-2 overall, while the Pioneers are 2-6 and 0-1 in conference play.

Mitchell's first goal of the game turned out to the game winner as she blasted a shot through traffic after taking an insert on a penalty corner from sophomore Camille Passucci (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls). That goal came 11:31 into the contest.

TCNJ doubled that lead late in the half as sophomore Caitlyn Jenkins (Mickleton, NJ/Kingsway) picked up her first of the season on an assist from sophomore Kathleen Notos (Pennsauken, NJ/Camden Catholic).

TCNJ's next goal,came 5:20 into the new half, as she garnered an assist on a goal by Passucci picked up her fifth of the season as she converted on a pass from senior Kellyn Riley (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West). 

Mitchell then finished off the Pioneers with two finals goals to close out the scoring. Those three goals doubled her season total as she now leads the team with six tallies.

Junior goalie Shannon Syciarz (Garwood, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) finished with three saves as she collected her third shutout of the season.

TCNJ controlled play throughout as the Lions held a 30-6 edge in shots and a margin of 22-2 in penalty corners.

In goal for the Pioneers, junior Megan Trivett (Middletown, NJ/Middletown North) finished with 10 saves.

The Lions are right back on the field on Monday hosting Neumann University on a non-conference tilt at 7:30 p.m., while the Pioneers head home for another NJAC contest on Tuesday taking on Kean University.