Ewing, NJ... The College of New Jersey field hockey team closed out the regular season with a home 6-2 win over Kean University on Saturday as junior Lexi Smith (Florence, NJ/Florence Twp.) led the charge with a hat trick.
 
The win put the second-ranked Lions at a perfect 6-0 against New Jersey Athletic Conference opponents and they are also the top seed in the upcoming NJAC Tournament. TCNJ will host a semifinal game on Wednesday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m.  The Lions finished the season 16-1 overall.

Smith's hat trick also gave her an even 100 career points in as she has 38 goals and 24 assists in 60 games.
 
The loss put the Cougars at 14-6 and 2-4 in conference play.
 
Prior to the game, the Lions recognized its two seniors for their contribution to the program's success. Honored were Mikayla Cimilluca (Fairfield, NJ/West Essex) and Alicia Wagner (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley).
 
TCNJ got off to a real fast start scoring times in the opening 12:10 of the game. Freshman Taylor Barrett (Neshanic Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central) opened the scoring 5:33 into the game, before sophomore Taylor Nesnay (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) and Wagner scored 47 seconds apart to quickly balloon the lead to 3-0.
 
The Cougars clawed back into the game with a goal just over five minutes into the second half when Krista LaMaina (Oaklyn, NJ/Collingswood) registered her 27^th of the season.
 
Smith then began her big game with a goal on a penalty stroke followed by another that was unassisted.
 
LaMaina then closed the gap to 5-2 with her second of the game, but Smith cashed in on another penalty stroke to close out the scoring with 4:09 left in the game.
 
Lion goalie Kelly Schlupp (Holland, PA/Council Rock South) earned the win with three saves.