EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey field hockey team opened the 2018 season with a bang, defeating Catholic University 6-0 Saturday afternoon in Lions Stadium. The third-ranked Lions improve to 1-0, while the 17^th-ranked Cardinals drop to 0-1.
 
The Lions got onto the board just over 12 minutes into the game when Tori Tiefenthaler delivered a centering pass that Cayla Andrews fired top shelf for TCNJ's first goal of the season. Andrews would then assist on a goal by Tori Hannah to send the Lions into the half up 2-0. The goal was the first of Hannah's TCNJ career.
 
Just over five minutes into the second half, Andrews would again find the back of the net. Recovering a rebound from a shot on a penalty corner, Andrews took a touch to find an angle around the Cardinal goalie and deliver her second of the game.
 
TCNJ continued the offensive assault, scoring twice off penalty corners within two minutes. Kayla Peterson scored the first on a blast after a pass from Sidney Padilla. Tiefenthaler then tapped in a bouncing ball for her first of the season.
 
The Lions closed out the scoring with just under nine minutes remaining. Andrews freed the ball from a crowd in front of the net to Caroline Quinn. Quinn wasted no time providing the goal that would make up the final score.
 
Kim McGroary made 11 saves for Catholic in the defeat.
 
Maddie Beaumont made four saves and Padilla added a key defensive save in the shutout.
 
TCNJ out-shot Catholic 21-8, including 11-0 in the first half.
 
The Lions return home next Saturday, Sept. 8 when they host Juniata at 6 p.m.