EWING, N.J. – A constant drizzle  and another top ten opponent were not enough to stop The College of New Jersey field hockey team Tuesday night. The second-ranked Lions improved to 14-0 overall and 4-0 in NJAC play with a 2-1 victory over Rowan University. The eighth-ranked Profs fell to 11-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
 
The Lions got to work early in the first quarter. TCNJ earned the game's first penalty corner and Jess Hatch made the insert pass to Kayla Peterson. Peterson ripped the shot from the top of the circle that found the back of the cage, putting the Lions up 1-0.
 
Late in the first quarter, Rowan earned a penalty corner with the Lions playing with only 10. Kristiina Castagnola's shot was behind Maddie Beaumont, when Sophie Popp quickly cleared the ball out of the circle.
 
"I knew I had to have Maddie's back," said Popp. "If I see a ball get by her, I know it's my job to make sure it doesn't cross the line."
 
TCNJ got a string of four straight corners early in the second quarter, but were unable to find a goal, taking the 1-0 lead into the half.
 
Early in the second half, Peterson again came through for the Lions. The senior played a long ball from outside the circle. Cayla Andrews was in perfect position to deflect the ball into the upper right corner of the goal to give the Lions a two-goal advantage.
 
Rowan fought hard to remain in the game, scoring early in the fourth. Casey Wagner found the ball on her stick outside the circle off the Prof corner insert. Her long ball was deflected by Liz Fox to trim the Lion lead to just one.
 
The Profs continued to apply pressure, but Beaumont turned aside the remaining Rowan shots to preserve the victory.
 
TCNJ out-shot Rowan 15-11, the 12^th time this season the Lions out-shot their opposition.
 
"Our defense starts with our forwards and works all the way back," said Popp. "The whole team played good defense today, and we put together a good team effort."
 
The Lions return to action Saturday when they host 10^th-ranked Kean University. Game time is 1 p.m. Prior to the game, the team will honor it's outgoing senior class.