Ewing, NJ…The College of New Jersey lacrosse team advanced to their 34^th consecutive elite eight, defeating Bowdoin 13-7 Saturday morning. The top-ranked Lions are now 19-2 on the season, while the ninth-ranked Polar Bears finished the season at 14-5.
 
TCNJ head coach Sharon Pfluger attributed the continued success to a pair of traits. "Hard work and chemistry, and this team has a lot of it." stated Pfluger. "It's our job as coaches to teach skill, but it all comes back to hard work and chemistry."
 
The Lions jumped out to an early lead, getting goals from Amanda Muller (Hillsborough, NJ/Hillsborough), Olivia Cleale (Yardley, PA/Notre Dame (NJ)), and Kathleen Jaeger (Whitehouse Station, NJ/Hunterdon Central).  Cleale finished with a pair of goals and a pair of assists.
 
After the Polar Bears responded, TCNJ took complete control with a four goal run. Kasey Donoghue (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) kicked off the rally before Allie Gorman (Sicklerville, NJ/Washington Twp.) scored the first two of her four goals. The rally concluded with the 24^th of the season from Erin Jaffe. "My first goal came on a free position, which is important to take advantage of." said Gorman. "The rest of my goals came on feeds from behind because of the amazing feeders we have on this team." claimed the sophomore attacker who crossed the 50 goal mark in today's game.
 
Cleale would score with just over two minutes remaining in the opening half to put TCNJ up 10-4 at the break.
 
Holding a 10-5 lead, TCNJ scored three straight goals including a free-position goal from Abby Flagler (Califon, NJ/Voorhees). The goal was the first for the junior defenseman since her freshman season.
 
Defensively, Elizabeth Morrison (Stonington, CT/Stonington) led the Lions with four caused turnovers and five draw controls, while adding three ground balls. Morrison moved into third place in NCAA Division III history with 87 caused turnovers on the year, but individual success is not the focus for Morrison. "None of us really care about individual stats on the field, no one is thinking I need to get this caused turnover or grab this ground ball. As long as the team is getting a stop and getting the ground ball as a team so it's all just about the effort that we put in." said the senior defenseman.
 
Jaclyn Douglas (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) led the Lions with five ground balls.
 
Miranda Chrone (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) made seven saves to earn the victory.
 
TCNJ will face Franklin and Marshall College, who defeated Colorado College 19-9 in the second regional semi-final, in the regional final Sunday at 1:00 PM in Lions Stadium. Pfluger spoke on the game saying "It's important to us to be able to play at home throughout the [NCAA] Tournament because the team deserves it and we are very excited."