Ewing, NJ… For the 26^th time in program history The College of New Jersey lacrosse team embarks upon the Final Four with the mission of hoisting the national championship trophy. The Lions will face an opponent that has become very familiar in the past two seasons in the Middlebury College Panthers. The teams split their pair of games a season ago with the Panthers defeating TCNJ 6-4 in the regular season, before TCNJ responded with an 8-4 victory in the Regional Final. The Lions defeated then second-ranked Middlebury 10-6 earlier this season.
 
"Making the FinalFfour is an experience like no other,"" said NJAC Midfielder of the Year Kathleen Jaeger. "I'm excited for every member of our team to be able to experience that."
 
TCNJ will certainly rely on the nation's best defense, which has allowed just 3.68 goals per game this season. The core of the defense is four-time NJAC Defensive Player of the Year Elizabeth Morrison.

"This defense has really been a couple years in the making, we really work well together," said the three-time All-American and 2016 National Defensive Player of the Year.

Morrison is the Lions' single season and career record holder in caused turnovers, ground balls, and draw controls. She ranks second in NCAA Division III history in caused turnovers and eighth in ground balls. The remainder of the defense is solid as well. Jaclyn Douglas, Brooke Lionetti, and Abby Flagler all set career-highs in both ground balls and caused turnovers. Lilly Bernardi has adjusted to a starting role in her sophomore season as well. When an opponent does make it through the Lions defense, waiting for them is NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year Miranda Chrone.

"We just have so much chemistry, hanging out on and off the field and it really helps," said the Lions netminder. Chrone leads the nation in goals against average and ranks fourth in save percentage. Her 3.81 career goals against is an All-Time NCAA Division III record.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, the Lions are loaded with talent and depth, highlighted by a trio of 50 goal scorers in Alexandria Fitzpatrick, Jaeger, and Allie Gorman. TCNJ last had three 50 goal scorers in 2015. None of those three lead the Lions in points however, as that honor goes to Olivia Cleale who ranks third in the country with 65 assists. 100 career goal scorer Amanda Muller is a constant dual threat, ranking second on the team in assists. Kasey Donoghue is deadly at the eight-meter line with 17 of her 35 goals this season coming on free position attempts. Erin Jaffe has been the brightest new face on offense this season with 24 goals.
 
For the Panthers, they are led by do everything midfielder Hollis Perticone. Perticone is the reigning IWLCA Midfielder of the Year and currently leads Middlebury in draw controls and is third on the squad in goals with 33. The Panthers do not have a 50 goal scorer on the team, but ten Panthers have scored double-digit goals on the year. Between the pipes is a fluctuating situation as Julia Keith, who started 18 games this year, was in net for the first meeting this season, but every game in the NCAA Tournament was started by Kate Furber the Panthers goalie from a season ago.
 
"We know that Middlebury is one of the toughest teams we play every year," said Cleale. "They're going to be physical and competitive so we need to work hard and push each other each day."
 
The keys for the Lions in the earlier game this season were common in the game of lacrosse, turnovers and ground balls. The Lions committed six fewer turnover than the Panthers and scooped 12 extra ground balls. TCNJ also fought their way to eight more free position attempts than Middlebury.