Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey field hockey team suffered a regular season conference loss in 26 games Saturday night falling 2-1 to 13^th-ranked Kean University in overtime. TCNJ falls to 11-3 overall, with all three losses coming against ranked competition by identical 2-1 scores. The fourth-ranked Lions close out conference play at 5-1. The Cougars improve to 16-1 and are 4-1 in NJAC play. Kean can wrap up the regular season title with a win over William Paterson University.
 
After a first half that was largely uneventful, the pace picked up in the second half. Just over five minutes into the second half, Shauna LaMaina took a shot from the top of the arc on a corner. Krista LaMaina deflected the shot into the back of the net for her 20^th of the season.
 
Kean had a chance to extend the lead via a penalty stroke, but Lions goalie Christina Fabiano (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) made a diving save to keep the TCNJ within striking distance. Cougar goalie Megan Houser returned the favor, saving a Lions stroke to preserve the lead.
 
TCNJ finally broke through with just under three minutes remaining. Cayla Andrews (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) had her initial shot blocked, but gathered the rebound, spun and fired into the cage for her seventh of the season.
 
Less than a minute into overtime, Jenna Patrone gathered a loose ball at the top of the arc and fired into the lower left corner for the win.

The teams were even at 9-9 in shots.
 
TCNJ now travels to Arcadia University for a non-conference game Tuesday at 4:30 PM.