Cortland, NY ... The College of New Jersey women's lacrosse team suffered its first setback of the season as they fell to SUNY Cortland 16-9 on Saturday afternoon in Cortland, NY.
 
The top-ranked team in the Division III IWLCA national poll moved to 7-0 on the season. The fourth-ranked Lions are now 7-1 after playing their third ranked opponent in the last eight days.
 
TCNJ held its own, but Cortland was able to create more shots, compiling a 35-26 advantage in that category. A factor was their ability to win draw controls, picking up 17 to the Lions' 10 to win the possession battle. TCNJ did cause 12 turnovers and committed just 10 during the match.
 
Senior Cortney Natalicchio (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) put the Lions ahead in the opening five minutes with a tally off a free position shot. The Red Dragons responded with six unanswered goals, however, to take control of the match. Goals by sophomore Elizabeth Morrison (Stonington, CT/Stonington) and Natalicchio closed the gap to 6-3, but Cortland found the back of the net two more times before the break to hold an 8-3 lead at the intermission.
 
The Red Dragons outscored the Lions 8-6 in the second half. Ashley Gentile finished with a game-high six goals and two assists, while Tara Monaghan tallied five times. Goaltender Jaclyn Breshlyan stopped 13 shots in the contest.
 
Natalicchio scored a team-high four goals in the game and won four draw controls, while Megan Devlin (Marmora, NJ/Ocean City) forced five turnovers. Goaltender Miranda Chrone (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) recorded a season-best nine saves.
 
The Lions are back in action this Tuesday night when they visit Cabrini College for 6:30 p.m. contest.