Lancaster, PA… Trailing by four goals in the second half, The College of New Jersey women's lacrosse team battled back to within a goal in the closing minutes, but Franklin & Marshall College was able to fend off the Lions to come away with 10-7 win in Lancaster, PA.
 
The loss dropped seventh-ranked TCNJ to 8-3, while the eighth-ranked Diplomats move to 8-2.
 
The Lions trailed 8-4 with 18:37 left in the game and chipped away until they closed the margin to a goal. Sophomore Erin Waller (Washington Twp., NJ/Washington Twp.) started TCNJ's rally with 17:55 left and less than three minutes later senior Jillian Nealon (Whitehouse Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central) scored to close the gap to 8-6.
 
With 6:39 left, Waller took advantage of a free-position attempt as TCNJ pulled to within 8-7.
 
While the Lion offense was chipping into F&M's lead, its defense was holding its ground holding the hosts scoreless for nearly 13 minutes.
 
Following Waller's goal, however, the Diplomats gained possession of the ensuing draw control, called time out, and scored only seconds after play resumed to push the difference back to two. The hosts added another insurance goal with 2:26 left on the clock to close out the scoring.
 
The low-scoring first half saw the Diplomats carry a 4-2 lead into the half, after opening up the contest with the first two goals. Juniors Lauren Pigott (Jobstown, NJ/Northern Burlington) and Jen Garavente (Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) accounted for TCNJ's goals in the period.
 
Nealon finished with three goals raising her season total to 27, which is a career high, and Waller scored twice.
 
Junior Jennamarie Colicchia (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp.) recorded a season-high four caused turnovers on defense for TCNJ, while sophomore Lauren Karpovich (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) collected a game-high four draw controls.
 
The Lions return to New Jersey Athletic Conference play on Tuesday, April 9 against Montclair State University, with  shot a earning their third straight conference title. TCNJ is 3-0 in league play and win over the Red Hawks would secure that title.