Ewing, NJ… The College of New Jersey lacrosse team opened their season with a 14-2 victory over Neumann University Saturday afternoon. The second-ranked Lions improve to 1-0 for the 31^st consecutive season, while the Knights fall to 1-2.
 
Erin Harvey (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) got the Lions off to a quick start scoring just under two minutes into the game. Alex Fitzpatrick (Burlington, NJ/Northern Burlington) then scored a natural hat trick, converting back-to-back free position shots before scoring while crossing the front of the crease.
 
After the Knights found the back of the net, Fitzpatrick answered off an assist from Olivia Cleale (Yardley, PA/Notre Dame). Amanda Muller (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough) then got the hot hand, scoring three consecutive goals of her own, getting assists from Harvey on each of the first two.
 
Cleale would find the back of the net herself then found Erin Jaffe (Mahwah, NJ/Mahwah) for both of her first two collegiate goals, giving the Lions an 11-0 lead that they would take into the half.
 
Allie Gorman (Sicklerville, NJ/Washington Twp.) found the scoring column early in the second half, scoring on a one-timer from Muller. Cleale and Fitzpatrick would again connect to give Fitzpatrick the first five goal game of her career. After Neumann scored on a free position attempt, Jaffe completed her hat trick to produce the final score.
 
Kaitlyn Conrad assisted on the Knights opening goal and scored their second to pace Neumann.
 
TCNJ got a game-high five draw controls from both Harvey and Elizabeth Morrison (Stonington, CT/Stonington)
 
Miranda Chrone (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) picked up a save in the first half before Alexa Natalicchio (New Egypt, NJ/Notre Dame) worked the second half in net.
 
The Lions return to action Thursday, March 1 when they host Haverford College at 7:00 PM.