Photo courtesy of Phil Wilgus

Ewing, N.J. … The College of New Jersey (15-3) field hockey team welcomed Rowan University (12-7) to Lions Stadium tonight for the NJAC Tournament Semifinals. The Lions came away with a 3-1 victory to advance to the NJAC Tournament Championship game on Saturday.

Senior Jaclyn Douglas (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) opened up scoring 12 minutes into the game when she recorded her 18th goal of the season. Douglas collected a rebound after a flurry of shots and swept the ball into the net.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the first half, Lexi Smith (Florence, NJ/Florence Township) made the score 2-0 in favor of the Lions. She received the ball at the top of the circle off a corner, ran the ball farther in, and rocketed a shot that flew past the goalie.

Five minutes into the second half, Rowan cut the deficit in half when Rachel Galante converted on a penalty stroke.

With 17 minutes remaining in the game, the Profs had several opportunities on net when they were awarded four corners in a row. The Lions defense stepped up to shut down any scoring chances.

Douglas tallied her second goal of the game with just under nine minutes remaining. Elizabeth Morrison (Stonington, CT/Stonington) sent a long pass to Douglas, who was waiting in the circle. The Rowan goalie and Douglas both went for the ball but it passed by the net-minder, allowing Douglas to have a shot on a wide open goal.

Christina Fabiano (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) earned the start in net and made four saves throughout the contest.

TCNJ will now face off against Montclair State University in the NJAC Tournament Championship game on Saturday, November 5. The game is slated for a 1 p.m. start in Lions Stadium.