Geneva, NY... An explosive offensive performance by sophomore Christine Levering (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) propelled The College of New Jersey women's soccer team to a 3-0 victory over Allegheny College in the opening round of the 2014 NCAA Division III Tournament.
 
The Lions (16-2-1) now advance to the tournament's second round and square off against the host and defending national champion William Smith College at 1 p.m. The Herons (16-2-1) defeated Keene State College 5-0 earlier in the day. TCNJ will look to exact some revenge on William Smith, who handed the Lions a 1-0 defeat last season in the third round of the 2013 NCAA tournament.
 
Levering scored all three goals, registering her first collegiate hat trick in the win. The sharp-shooting forward tallied a pair of goals in the opening half and tacked on her team-leading 14^th goal in the second period. Freshman Jessica Goldman (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) delivered an assist on the first goal of the contest, while sophomore Sarah Marion (Hightstown, NJ/The Peddie School) set up thee third.
 
TCNJ controlled the majority of play with the Gators, outshooting Allegheny 12-8 in the match. They were tested on several occasions, however senior goalkeeper Kendra Griffith (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill West) was there to stop all four shots she faced. It was her 14^th shutout of the season.
 
Levering got the Lions on the board just 15:38 into the match. Goldman drove a serve off a direct kick and Levering converted to give TCNJ a 1-0 lead.
 
At the 32:21 mark, Levering struck once again. She beat a pair of defenders and rippled the back of the net to give the Lions a two-goal cushion.
 
Following the intermission, Levering completed her hat trick in the 55^th minute when she finished a serve by Goldman from the top of the box.
 
TCNJ extended its unbeaten streak to nine games (8-0-1) and have only allowed one goal in that span. The victory also marked the 450^th win in the career of Head Coach Joe Russo. Russo currently holds an overall record of 450-55-34.
 
The Lions did hand the Herons their only loss of the season in 2013, defeating them 2-1 in TCNJ's Soccer Complex.