Hoboken, NJ… Stevens Institute of Technology received a late goal from Marguerite Chavez in the closing minutes as the Ducks slipped past The College of New Jersey field hockey team in their season opener.

The loss put the Lions at 0-1, while the Ducks were playing their second game in as many days and are 1-1.

TCNJ entered the season ranked 12^th in the Penn Monto National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III Pre-season Poll.

The season got off to fast start for the Lions with junior Erin Healy (Spring Lake Heights, NJ/Manasquan) opened the scoring 6:47 into the game.

The Ducks then tied the score, but the Lions got a big boast just before the half when freshman Lexi Smith (Florence, NJ/Florence Twp.) banged in a loose ball on a scramble following a penalty corner. That goal came with 41 seconds left in the period and was the first of Smith's collegiate career.

Stevens got the goal back just over seven minutes into the second period, only to watch Smith scored again for the Lions 1:27 later. This time she cashed in on a penalty stroke putting TCNJ in front 3-2.

The Ducks tied the game with just over 15 minutes to go before Chavez scored the deciding goal on a penalty stroke with 3:17 left in the contest.

TCNJ takes the field again for its home opener on Saturday, September 7 at 1 p.m. hosting FDU-Florham.