Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey women's soccer team erupted for five goals in the second half to defeat Kean University, 5-1 in New Jersey Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon in the TCNJ Soccer Complex.
 
The Lions remained unbeaten and raised their season record to 14-0-1 and 8-0 in league play. The victory also clinched a first-round bye in the 2016 NJAC Championship Tournament and sets up a crucial match with Rowan University this Wednesday night. If the Profs (14-0-1, 6-0-1 NJAC) defeat Ramapo College on Sunday, a win or tie by TCNJ would give them the top seed in the post-season conference tournament and guarantee home-field advantage throughout. (A loss or tie on Sunday to the Roadrunners would knock Rowan out of contention and clinch first place for the Lions.)
 
Trailing 1-0 at the intermission, the Lions exploded with four goals in five minutes to the put contest out of reach. Junior Abigail Emmert (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks East) and senior Christine Levering (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) each scored twice in flurry of offense that left Kean (10-7, 4-4 NJAC) stunned after playing a solid first half.
 
In the opening half, the Cougars were awarded a direct kick in the 28^th minutes. After some confusion as to whether the restart was direct or indirect, Kendall Machak ripped a shot from 22 yards out that bent into the top left corner to give Kean a 1-0 lead. It was the third goal of the season for Machak and only the third score given up by the Lions in the opening half all season.
 
Playing from behind for the first time this season, TCNJ came out on fire after the break. Junior Jessica Goldman (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) roped shot from the left side that was destined for the right pocket, but Cougar goalie Laruen Healey made a diving save to punch the ball out of bounds. On the ensuing corner kick, Levering headed a shot on net that Healey batted out back to the box. Emmert was in position for the rebound and pushed a shot into the right corner to tie the game 1-1.
 
Just over one minute later, Elizabeth Thoresen (Colts Neck, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) beat her defender to the end-line and set a low cross in front of goal mouth. Levering redirected the shot in stride and the Lions quickly held a 2-1 lead.
 
A little over two minutes later, Emmert was in position again when a loose ball popped out to the top of the box. She lined a shot into the right corner for her second goal of the contest to make it a 3-1 game.
 
One minute and 11 seconds later, Levering capped the offensive outburst with a blast from 35 yards out into the top left corner. It was the 15^th goal of the season for Levering.
 
The Lions added an insurance goal later in the half. In the 72^nd minute, freshman Callen Vandermay (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) delivered a corner kick into the box. Junior Kayla Bertolino (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) sent a header on net that deflected off a Cougar defender and into the goal for her second tally of 2016.
 
Senior Jessica Weeder (Lebanon, NJ/North Hunterdon) made three saves in net for the Lions. Healey stopped seven shots on goal for Kean.
 
The Lions will close out their regular season schedule with a battle against NJAC rival Rowan University at 6 p.m. in Lions Stadium.