Hoboken, NJ... The College of New Jersey field hockey team had a fast start to the 2015 season as the Lions scored five times in the opening 13 minutes of the game as they went on to post a 7-0 victory at Stevens Institute of Technology on Tuesday.
 
TCNJ, which is ranked fourth in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association preseason poll, are the defending NCAA Division III Champions and have won 16 straight games dating back to last season.
 
Junior Lexi Smith (Florence, NJ/Florence Twp.) opened the scoring 2:03 into the game before classmate Jaclyn Douglas (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) netted the next two goals for the Lions. The first of those goals came with 3:35 expired and the second at the 7:50 mark.
 
Senior Alicia Wagner (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley) then struck twice in a span of 39 seconds putting the lead at 5-0. The latter of those goals came 12:06 into the contest.
 
In the second half, freshman Taylor Barrett (Neshanic Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central) picked up her first collegiate goal early in the period, while Wagner capped off her hat trick to close out the scoring.
 
Lion goalies Kelly Schlupp (Holland, PA/Council Rock South) and Christina Fabiano (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) combined on the shutout.
 
TCNJ is back on the field a week from tonight when they host FDU-Florham for its home opener on September 8. Game time with the Devils is 7:30 p.m.