Ewing, NJ…The College of New Jersey strengthened its push for a home game in the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament by scoring three straight goals to slip past Rowan University 4-3 on Saturday.
 
The Lions trailed 3-1 with just under nine minutes left in the first half before scoring once before the break and then added the tying and game-winning goals in the final 35 minutes. TCNJ is 4-1 in NJAC play with one game remaining, putting them a game ahead of top-ranked Montclair State University, which is 3-1. Overall, the Lions are 12-2.
 
The loss dropped the Profs to 1-2 in the conference and 7-6 overall. The top four teams in the league standings qualify for the tournament, with the top two teams hosting semifinal match-ups.
 
TCNJ got the tying go early in the period when defender Kerry Curran (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) crept in behind the Rowan defense on a penalty corner and knocked in a feed from Victoria Martin (Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson). That goal was the first of her career and came 8:25 into the period.
 
The Lions had a great chance to pull even with just under 11 minutes left in regulation when they were awarded a penalty stroke, but Rowan goalie Steph Colombo (Moorestown, NJ/Camden Catholic) made the save on TCNJ's Lexi Smith (Florence, NJ/Florence Township).
 
That save didn't deter the Lions as they continued to press and were rewarded when junior Lindsey Hatch (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) picked up her team-leading 15^th goal, giving the Lions their first lead since the opening half. Hatch's goal came with 5:51 left in the game. That goal was assisted by Erin Healy (Spring Lake Heights, NJ/Manasquan).
 
TCNJ then prevented Rowan from getting any scoring chances in the closing minutes to secure the win.
 
The game started with a flurry of goals with the Lions getting things started 14:04 into the game. That goal came off of the stick of freshman Jaclyn Douglas (Malvern, PA/Great Valley).
 
The Profs needed only 33 seconds to get the equalizer when Kelli Campbell (Clark, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) deflected in a shot from Marisa Marini (Wilmington, DE/Padau Academy).
 
Rowan took its first lead 3:35 later as Jenna Pressler (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) scored on a penalty corner with an assist from Amy McKeever (West Deptford, NJ/West Deptford). With 8:44 left in the half, the Profs extended the lead to 3-1 when Johanna James (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester) poked in a rebound.
 
TCNJ quickly got one of those goals back when Smith ripped a feed from junior Erin Waller (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) on a penalty corner for her eighth goal of the season. That goal made it a 3-2 game with 7:15 left before the half.
 
Amanda Krause (Richboro, PA/Council Rock North) backstopped the win for the Lions with four saves.
 
Colombo registered 11 stops for the Profs.
 
Curran added to her complete game with a defensive save and teammate Marissa Pennypacker (Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview) had one as well.
 
TCNJ closes out conference play on Tuesday hosting Ramapo College at 7:30 p.m., while the Profs travel to FDU-Florham on Monday for a 7 p.m. contest.