Galloway, NJ... It was a night of firsts for The College of New Jersey women's lacrosse team as the Lions not only scored their first win over Richard Stockton College on Tuesday, they also locked up the top seed in the inaugural New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament.
 
TCNJ posted a 17-0 win over the Ospreys to remain the only undefeated team in conference play at 5-0 with one game remaining. This was the first meeting between the programs as Richard Stockton is in its first season as a NCAA Division III program. The win also gave the fourth-ranked Lions the top seed in the upcoming NJAC Tournament that starts on April 30. In previous season, the conference champion was determined by the league standings.
 
The win pushed TCNJ's conference winning streak to 22 straight dating back to the 2010 season. Overall this season, the Lions are 13-1. It was also the defense's third shutout of the season and second in league play.
 
The loss dropped the Ospreys to 9-5 overall and 1-4 in the conference.
 
The outcome was never in question as the guests grabbed control early scoring three goals in a span of 43 seconds. Junior Ava Fitzgerald (Merrick, NY/Calhoun) opened the scoring on a free-position goal before junior Kendal Borup (Plainsboro, NJ/West Windsor-Plainsboro South) tallied 22 seconds later. The third goal in that span came when Borup set up senior Jen Garavente (Monroe Twp., NJ/Monroe Twp.) to make it 3-0. That goal came with 24:44 showing on the clock.
 
The offense continued to click extending the lead to 8-0 by the midway point of the period and Garavente then rattled off three straight goals pushing the margin to 11-0. Junior Erin Healy (Spring Lake Heights, NJ/Manasquan) made it a 12-0 TCNJ lead at the break, scoring with 4:22 left in the period on an assist from Garavente.
 
It was more of the more of the same in the second half with the only team getting on the scoreboard. They tacked on five additional goals in the final 30 minutes with senior Lauren Pigott (Jobstown, NJ/Northern Burlington) striking for a pair and junior Erin Waller (Washington Twp., NJ/Washington Twp.), freshman Mia Blackmon (Arlington, VA/Field School), and Fitzgerald each tallied once.
 
Garavente had another big game for the Lions with five goals and three assists for eight points. This marked the fourth time this season she has recorded eight points in a contest. Borup and Waller each finished with two goals and two assists and Pigott chipped in with three goals.
 
Lion goalie Kelly Schlupp (Holland, PA/Council Rock South) stopped both shots she faced to earn the shutout.
 
TCNJ goes for a perfect NJAC slate on Saturday, April 26 when they host Kean University at noon.