Ewing, NJ... The College of New Jersey field hockey team scored four straight goals in the second half to break open a tie game as the top-ranked Lions posted a 5-1 victory over FDU-Florham on Tuesday.
 
The win put TCNJ at 2-0 on the young season and it was also the 17^th straight victory dating back to last season.
 
The loss was the first of the season for the Devils as they dropped to 3-1.
 
The Lions scored the only goal of the opening half when freshman Taylor Barrett (Neshanic Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central) knocked in a rebound on a shot originally taken by junior Lexi Smith (Florence, NJ/Florence Twp.). That goal came 10:45 into the contest.
 
In the second half, the Devils tied the game 1:55 into the new period when Kim Davis (Long Branch, NJ/Long Branch) redirected a pass from Brooke Sherwin (Coplay, PA/Parkland).
 
TCNJ quickly answered with a pair of goals in 2:28. Smith put the hosts in front weaving her way through the FDU-Florham defense and ripping a shot for her second goal of the season. That goal came 6:35 after the Devils had tied the score.
 
Minutes later, junior Jaclyn Douglas (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) tipped in a shot by freshman Sidney Padilla (Suffern, NY/Suffern) extending the lead to 3-1.
 
Smith netted her second of the game to make it 4-1, while senior Alicia Wagner (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley) capped the scoring with 3:59 left.
 
Padilla had a big night for the Lions as she finished with three assists.
 
FDU-Florham goalie Amy Defnet (Poolesville, MD/Poolesville) kept her team close throughout as she finished with 20 saves.
 
The Lions return to the road on Saturday when they head to Juniata College for a 3 p.m. start with the Eagles.