Mahwah, NJ... Senior Lindsey Hatch (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) exploded for three goals and three assists as The College of New Jersey field hockey team opened conference play with a 7-0 win at Ramapo College on Tuesday.
 
The win elevated the sixth-ranked Lions to 6-0 on the season and 1-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The game also marked the midway point of their season-long seven-game road trip as they have won the first four games by a whopping margin of 29-1.
 
The loss dropped Ramapo to 0-1 in league play and 1-6 overall.
 
TCNJ entered the game ranked fourth nationally in scoring offense at 7.40 goals per game and did nothing to hurt that number by scoring at least seven goals for the sixth straight time.
 
At the other end of the field, the Lions posted their third shutout of the season and the team has yielded only one goal in the last four games. In the win over the Roadrunners, TCNJ defense was nearly flawless as they allowed only one shot.
 
Senior Erin Healy (Spring Lake Heights, NJ/Manasquan) opened the scoring on an assist from Hatch 4:49 into the game with that goal being the 50^th of her career. That ties her for 10^th on the program's all-time list with Diane Rausenberger. Healy is also closing in on joining the top 10 in points with 122. Leigh Mitchell currently sits in 10^th place with 129 career points.
 
Hatch was the playmaker once again on the second goal, this time setting up sophomore Jaclyn Douglas (Malvern, PA/Great Valley). That goal came 21:54 into the game.
 
Hatch then switched to role of goal scorer with a pair before the half ended to send the Lions into the break with a 4-0 lead. Those goals came with 7:52 and 3:10 left in the period.
 
In the second half, TCNJ netted two goals in the opening 11:33 with Douglas getting the first of those goals and freshman Lauren O'Keefe (Allendale, NJ/Northern Highlands) the second. Healy earned an assist on the first of those goals and Hatch on the second.
 
Hatch put the finishing touches on the win completing the hat trick with 10:36 left in the game. Her big performance marked the second time this fall she has recorded 10 points in a game and in just six games this season she has 12 goals and 10 assists for a team-leading 34 points.
 
Goalies Kelly Schlupp (Holland, PA/Council Rock South) and Amanda Krause (Richboro, PA/Council Rock North) teamed up to share the shutout with Krause making one save.
 
The Lions face their toughest test so far this season on Saturday, September 20 when they head to 13^th-ranked Messiah College for a 1 p.m. start against the Falcons.