Ewing, NJ-- The College of New Jersey women's soccer team defeated Virginia Wesleyan University Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championships by a final score of 3-0.

The Lions opened up the scoring in the 12th minute. Jessica Goldman (Belle Mead, NJ/Montgomery) sent a beautiful through ball from just inside midfield, and Elizabeth Thoresen (Colts Neck, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) ran it down and beat the keeper with from the top of the box. Eleven minutes later, Thoresen returned the favor. From just beyond the right post, Thoresen sent a perfect cross that found Goldman in close on the left side, and Goldman punched in a header to extend the Lions advantage to 2-0. TCNJ scored again two minutes into the second half, as Christine Levering (Robbinsville, NJ/Robbinsville) controlled an excellent pass inside of the box from Goldman, and Levering did the rest to put the Lions up 3-0.

The Lions controlled the pace of the game throughout. The back line of Kelly Wieczerzak (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) , Jen McGrogan (Pompton Plains NJ/Peaquannock Twp.), and Ally DeRiggi (East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Parkl) stifled any offensive chances from the Marlins. Midfielders Kayla Bertolino (Medford, NJ/Shawnee), Devon McDonough (Monmouth Beach, NJ/Shore Regional), and Taylor Nolan (Sparta, NJ/Sparta) also contributed to the defensive efforts to keep the Marlins offense at bay.

The Lions out-shot the Marlins by a margin of 32-2, and possessed the edge in corner kicks 6-1.

TCNJ last advanced to the sectional round of the NCAA Division III Championships in 2014. Next up the Lions will compete on November 18th, with their opponent and location to be announced.