Montclair, NJ ... Whatever words Head Coach Sharon Pfluger expressed to her players at halftime, it certainly had a positive effect.
 
The College of New Jersey lacrosse team shut out Fredonia in the second half en route to an 8-3 victory in their season opener hosted at Montclair State University. Trailing 3-1 at the break, the fifth-ranked Lions (1-0) scored seven unanswered goals in the second half to top the 15^th-ranked Blue Devils (0-1).
 
Junior Mia Blackman (Arlington, Va/Field School) led TCNJ on offense with three goals. Senior Cortney Natalicchio (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) added a pair, while Megan Devlin (Mamora, NJ/Ocean City) notched an assist.
 
Freshaman goaltender Miranda Chrone (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) had a great start in her collegiate debut. She made three saves and didn't allow a goal in the final 49 minutes of play.
 
Down 3-0 in the opening half, Blackman got the Lions on the board with 9:25 remaining in the period. The TCNJ defense was stingy and kept the deficit at two goals entering the break.
 
Sophomore Elizabeth Morrison (Stonington, CT/Stonington) made it a one-goal with her first tally of the season. Just over six minutes later, Natalicchio tied the contest before sophomore Amanda Muller (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) put the Lions ahead with 19:52 remaining. TCNJ would not look back from there, scoring four more times to secure their first victory of the season.
 
TCNJ outshot Fredonia 29-9 in the game and 18-2 in the second period.
 
The Lions are back in action next Saturday when they visit FDU-Florham for a 1 p.m. start.