Little Falls, NJ... Junior Crystal Lee (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Knolls) used her speed on the base paths and classmate Lauren Fitzsimmons (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) took care of things on the mound as The College of New Jersey knocked off second-seeded Montclair State University 1-0 in nine innings on Tuesday.

By pulling out the win in the opening round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament, the fifth-seeded Lions improved to 25-12 on the year. Next for TCNJ is a match-up with third-seeded William Paterson University at 3 p.m. on Friday. The Pioneers advanced with a 1-0 win over fourth-seeded Ramapo College. That game and the remainder of the tournament will be played at top-seeded Rowan University.

The loss knocked the Red Hawks to 26-9 as they will face the host Profs, which fell to sixth-seeded Kean University, 5-4.

TCNJ plated that lone run of the game in unusual fashion in the top of the ninth as Lee singled and then stole second, but the throw hit off of her helmet and went into left center and she quickly recovered and raced home.

That was enough for Fitzsimmons as she retired the side in order in the ninth putting the finishing touches on complete game shutout.

The junior allowed just three hits over the nine innings, including 4-2/3 innings to start the game, and had seven strike outs. It was Fitzsimmons's ninth win of the season and her fifth shutout.

The Lions used their defense to keep the game scoreless in the third as the Red Hawks were issued a lead-off walk. That base runner was quickly erased as third base man Kelly Hommen (Ridgewood, NJ/Ridgewood) made a diving stab on a sacrifice bunt attempt and then quickly doubled off the runner at first for a double play.

Montclair State pitcher Alex Hill (Parsippany, NJ/Parsippany Hills) also had a strong showing. After allowing a lead-off single to Lee in the first, she retired 18 of the next 19 batters. She also allowed just three hits and that unearned run.

TCNJ had its best threat to score in the top of the seventh as Hommen led off with a double to left, but pinch-runner Kristen Lake (Readington, NJ/Hunderdon Central) was stranded at third.

The bottom of the inning mirrored the top half as MSU had a lead-off double, but Fitzsimmons got out of the jam without the runner moving up.