Madison, NJ... In the first three games of the season, The College of New Jersey field hockey team has been extremely proficient when it comes to scoring goals. The Lions had their offense clicking once again on Saturday as they improved to 3-0 with an 8-0 win at Fairleigh Dickinson University – Florham.
 
In three games this season, TCNJ has scored 23 goals for an impressive 7.67 goals per game. They have also scored at least seven times in all three games. Not to be outdone, the team's defense has also stepped up as they have reduced the number of goals in each game with this one resulting in the first shutout of the season. Not only did the defense get the shutout, but they didn't allow a shot on goal.
 
The loss dropped the Devils to 0-3 on the season.
 
It was a quick strike attack that got things rolling for the Lions as they netted a pair of goals only 22 seconds apart. Senior forward Erin Healy (Spring Lake Heights, NJ/Manasquan) opened the scoring with 11:04 expired and less than a half minute later sophomore Jaclyn Douglas (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) set up classmate Danielle Andreula (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) for her first goal of the season.
 
Douglas made it 3-0 cashing in on a penalty stroke midway through the period, while senior Lindsey Hatch (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) scored two minutes later increasing the margin to 4-0.
 
Andreula added her second of the game with 2:30 left before the half as the Lions carried a 5-0 lead into the half.
 
In the second half, freshman Lauren O'Keefe (Allandale, NJ/Northern Highlands) collected her first collegiate goal 4:56 into the new period. That goal was set up by freshman Amanda Pallitto (Hazlet, NJ/Raritan) and that was the first point as a member of the program. O'Keefe didn't waste any time another goal to her young career as she picked up her second of the game six minutes later with an assist from Lexi Smith (Florence, NJ/Florence Twp.).
 
TCNJ's eighth and final goal came from junior Alicia Wagner (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley) as that was her first goal in a Lion uniform.
 
Lion sophomore Kelly Schlupp (Holland, PA/Council Rock South) and Amanda Krause (Richboro, PA/Council Rock North) shared the shutout.
 
Next up for the Lions is another road game on Tuesday, September 9 as they head to Cabrini College for a 4 p.m. start with the Cavaliers.