Ewing, NJ... For the second consecutive season, The College of New Jersey lacrosse team will be required to protect Lions Stadium as they search for a final four bid. The top ranked Lions were selected as one of four regional host sites for games played Saturday and Sunday. The Lions will square off against Bowdoin College at 11:30 AM followed by Franklin & Marshall College facing off with Colorado College at 2:30 PM Saturday. The winners will meet in the regional final Sunday at 1:00 PM.

TCNJ enters the regional with the nation's top defense allowing just 3.47 goals per game. The Lions defeated 16th-ranked William Smith 8-2 to earn their way into the regional. Senior Elizabeth Morrison anchors the Lions defense, leading the team in caused turnovers, ground balls, and draw controls. She ranks second in NCAA history in career caused turnovers and eighth in career ground balls. When shots do manage to find their way toward the goal, net minder Miranda Chrone has been fantastic at stuffing opportunities, leading the nation in goals against average and sitting fourth in save percentage.

Offensively, the Lions have contributions throughout the roster, as seven players have scored 20 or more goals this season. Alexandria Fitzpatrick leads the way with 53 goals, followed closely by 50 off the stick of Kathleen Jaeger, and 47 from Allie Gorman. Olivia Cleale has been a brilliant feeder, ranking fifth in the country in assists. Her 63 assists this season is the third most in program history.

The Lions would appear to have the edge statistically over the ninth-ranked Polar Bears, but Bowdoin is battle tested in the always tough NESCAC and defeated 23rd-ranked Stevens 18-8 to advance to the regional. Katie Miller, Eliza Denious, and Hannah Hirschfeld all scored over 40 goals this season. The Polar Bears own a pair of victories this season over 15th-ranked Wesleyan and knocked off sixth-ranked Amherst in the NESCAC Tournament.

Seventh-ranked Franklin & Marshall survived in a 12-11 game against 13th-ranked Tufts to reach the regional this season. The Diplomats use good ball movement to score goals, ranking 21st in the country in assists per game. Paige Moriarty make the offense go, leading the squad with 50 goals, while also adding 39 assists. Jane Cote ranks 15th in the nation with 47 assists.

Colorado College enters the regional off a 17-13 win over 22nd-ranked Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The Tigers also rely on a balanced scoring attack with seven 20 goal scorers. Annie Defrino leads the team with 52 goals, Eva King tops the squad with 41 assists, and Steph Kelly tops the Tigers with 86 points. The Tigers will attempt to overwhelm their opponents offensively, ranking 12th in the country in draw controls, and sixth in shots.