Ewing, NJ... The College of New Jersey field hockey team scored twice in the final 15 minutes of the game to erase a one-goal deficit and remain unbeaten in conference play as they edged Rowan University 2-1 on Tuesday.
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The Lions entered the second half down by a goal and tied things up with 14:55 left. TCNJ then took its only lead of the game when freshman
Elizabeth Morrison (Stonington, CT/Stonington) banged in a short pass from junior
Lexi Smith (Florence, NJ/Florence Twp.). That goal came with 4:20 remaining.
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The Profs had chances in the final minutes with a pair of penalty corners and on the second one rattled off three shots in succession and Lion goalie
Kelly Schlupp (Holland, PA/Council Rock South) denied each scoring attempt to protect that lead.
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The win put the Lions at 4-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and 13-1 overall. The loss was the first of the season in league play for Rowan as they dropped to 3-1 and 10-5 overall.
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The Profs netted the only goal of the opening period as they converted on a penalty corner. Senior
Marisa Marini (Carneys Point, NJ/Padua Academy) inserted the ball and freshman
Rachel Galante (Mount Laurel, NJ/Collingswood) put a low shot into the Lion net for a 1-0 lead. That goal came with 21:55 left in the period.
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TCNJ got that equalizer in the latter stages of second half as they also used a penalty corner to create a goal. Junior defender
Shannon Cowles (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) slid a pass to the opposite post and freshman
Taylor Barrett (Neshanic Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central) was there to knock it for the 1-1 tie. That goal came with 14:55 left in regulation setting the stage for Morrison's game winner just over 10 minutes later.
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Schlupp finished with 10 saves for her 13
th win of the season, while goalie
Carly DeMarco (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester City) finished with 13.
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The Lions face another conference opponent on Saturday when they head to William Paterson University for a 5:30 p.m. start, while the Profs return home to face Montclair State University that same day.