Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey women's soccer team enjoyed a very successful "Senior Day" as the Lions scored five times in the opening half en route to a 7-0 victory over New Jersey City University on Saturday.
 
Prior to the game, the Lions honored the three seniors who were playing their final home game. That trio included Sloan DePiero (Ramsey. NJ/Ramsey), Lauren Giles (Deptford, NJ/Deptford Twp.), and Katie Lindacher (Egg Harbor Twp., NJ/Egg Harbor Twp.). Kendra Griffith (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) is also a member of that class, but has one more year of eligibility remaining.
 
The win sets up a huge season-finale on Wednesday, October 30 at Rowan University. The Profs are currently in second place in the conference, behind undefeated Montclair State University, with 21 points thanks to a 7-1 league mark. The Lions a right on their heels with 19 points, going 6-1-1 in NJAC play. TCNJ needs a win in that game to earn a bye in the opening round of the NJAC Tournament, while a win or a tie by Rowan gives them an automatic spot in the semifinals. The top two teams receive a bye in the opening round of the tournament and the third and fourth seeds will host quarterfinal matches on Saturday, November 2.
 
Overall, the 11^th-ranked Lions are 14-1-1, while the Gothic Knights fell to 1-10-1 and 0-8 in the conference.
 
TCNJ dominated throughout and opened the scoring 6:48 into the game as Shannon White (Fairfield, NJ/West Essex) scored on an assist from Sarah Marion (Hightstown, NJ/The Peddie School). The goals continued to come for the Lions as Lauren Malajian (Haworth, NJ/Northern Valley), Christine Levering (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville), Christina Roach (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson), and Chalen Noble (Kinnelon, NJ/Kinnelon) each found the back of the net putting the hosts in front following the first 45 minutes.
 
In the second half, Malajian and Roach each added their second of the game to close out the scoring.
 
Sophomore Justine Larocca (River Vale, NJ/Pascack Valley) chipped in with a pair of assists for the Lions.
 
The goalkeeping combination of Griffith, Cristina Gacos (Sea Girt, NJ/Wall), and Jessica Weeder (Lebanon, NJ/North Hunterdon) combined on the team's ninth shutout of the season.
 
In goal for the Gothic Knights, junior Brittany Hoffman (McMurray, PA/Peters Twp.) made numerous highlight-reel saves as she finished with 23 saves. This marked the sixth time this season the NJCU keeper has recorded at least 20 saves in a game. She entered the game ranked fourth nationally in saves per game at 13.82.
 
The Gothic Knights cap their season with a home game on Wednesday, hosting Rutgers-Camden at 2:30 p.m.