Hoboken, NJ… A pair of newcomers sparked The College of New Jersey field hockey team to a season-opening victory as the eighth-ranked Lions collected a 3-1 victory at Stevens Institute of Technology on Thursday.

Freshmen Erin Waller (Sewell, NJ/Washington Township) and Erin Healy (Spring Lake Heights, NJ/Manasquan) made their collegiate debuts a memorable one as each player scored.

Waller tallied the game's opening goal scoring directly off of a penalty corner with 10:56 remaining in the half. That goal was assisted by junior Camille Passucci (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls).

Both of those players factored in on the second goal as Healy tipped in a shot by Waller after Passucci started the play by inserting a penalty corner. That goal was scored with just under 11 minutes expired in the new half and put the visitors in front by a pair.

TCNJ made it a 3-0 as junior Jillian Nealon (Whitehouse Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central) picked up her first of the season with Cassandra Martin (Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) earning an assist on the play.

The Ducks spoiled TCNJ's shutout bid in the closing minutes scoring with 2:31 left on the clock.

Senior goalie Shannon Syciarz (Garwood, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) backed stopped the win for the Lions as she registered five saves.

Passucci added to the win with a pair of assists.

TCNJ has a quick turnaround as they return home on Saturday afternoon for its home opener. The Lions will host Gwynedd-Mercy College at 1 p.m. in Lions' Stadium.