MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The College of New Jersey field hockey team needed 90 minutes and 11 shootout rounds Wednesday night before ultimately prevailing over Montclair State 2-1 in the semi-finals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The fifth-ranked and third-seeded Lions improved to 14-3 on the season, while the ninth-ranked and second-seeded Red Hawks dropped to 15-3.
 
The Lions broke through late in the opening half on a penalty corner. Kayla Peterson took the insert and passed across to Tori Hannah. Hannah found the back of the cage with TCNJ's first shot of the game for her 11^th goal of the season.
 
Montclair State answered midway through the second half when Kailey Dalgauer scored off a Red Hawk penalty corner.
 
Both team had several quality chances in the overtime periods. The Red Hawks earned four penalty corners in the third period, but Maddie Beaumont came up with a trio of saves to extend the game.
 
The Lions had several chances in the fourth including the best opportunity for either side in the 90^th minute. Samantha Reed took a shot off a corner that beat the Red Hawks goalie, but a defense save by Marissa Siconolfi sent the game to a shootout.
 
TCNJ jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five competition on conversions by Cayla Andrews and Reed. Montclair State answered to even the score after five attempts each. Five more attempts from each side were stopped setting up the deciding 11^th round.
 
Andrews initial backhand attempt was saved, but she lifted the rebound over the goalie to give the Lions an advantage. Beaumont needed to make a pair of saves on the Red Hawks attempt, and she was again up to the task sending the Lions through to the NJAC Championship game for the sixth straight season. TCNJ has won four consecutive NJAC Championships.
 
The Lions will have to get past undefeated Rowan if they want to make it five straight. The Profs defeated Stockton 3-0 to punch their ticket. The game will be Saturday in Glassboro. Pushback is set for 1 p.m.