Union, NJ … Junior Elizabeth Morrison (Stonington, CT/Stonington) scored with one minute remaining in the first overtime period as The College of New Jersey field hockey team defeated Kean University, 3-2 (OT) on Saturday afternoon in Union, NJ.
 
The victory clinched the top seed in the 2016 New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship Tournament for the Lions, who raised their season record to a 12-3 and a perfect 6-0 in league play. It is likely that TCNJ will play either William Paterson University or Rowan University in the semifinal round of the tourney on Wednesday, November 2 in Lions Stadium.
 
It marked the eighth straight win for TCNJ and it happened in thrilling fashion. With one minute left in the first overtime, Jackie Schwartz (Toms River, NJ/Toms River East) sent a long pass to Morrison, who carried in and converted the game-winner to set off a wild celebration. It was the second goal of the game for Morrison and her seventh in the last three contests.
 
The Lions took a 1-0 lead early in the opening half when Schwartz took a pass from Lexi Smith (Florence, NJ/Florence Twp.) off of penalty corner and one-timed her second goal of the season.
 
The Cougars (14-2, 3-2 NJAC) responded in the 18^th minute when Jordan Kelna netted her fifth goal of the season. She took a feed from Teresa Carr and fired it into the right corner to tie the game 1-1.
 
In the 43^rd minute, Morrison fired a shot off a penalty corner that was initially stopped by Cougar goalie Erin Smith. But Morrison collected the rebound and beat Smith with her second shot to give TCNJ a one-goal advantage.
 
Kean got the equalizer in the 63^rd minute when Rachel Mills swiped in a rebound off of a blocked shot. The Cougars continued to pressure and nearly ended the game in regulation as they had shots ring off the post and crossbar.
 
Only 23 seconds into the first overtime, Smith cleared a ball off the goal line before it could cross for her second defensive save of the game. TCNJ regained control of play as the period wore on, leading to Morrison ending the conference showdown with a dramatic goal to secure the regular season title.

Christine Fabiano (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) made four saves, while the Lion defense was also credited with three defensive saves. Kean goalie Erin Smith made six stops in the loss.
 
TCNJ will be back in Lions Stadium on Tuesday night for a non-conference match-up against Albright College. The Lions will celebrate Senior Night and will also Play 4 Cure for cancer awareness.