EWING, N.J. – Cayla Andrews third goal of the game, 7:02 into the first overtime period, was the difference Saturday afternoon as The College of New Jersey field hockey team defeated Kean University 3-2. With the win the second-ranked Lions (15-0, 5-0 NJAC) clinched the number one seed in the upcoming NJAC Tournament. The win snapped the Cougars (17-2, 4-1 NJAC) winning streak 17.
 
Prior to the game, the team honored its five graduating senior members, Tori Hannah, Jillian Farley, Kayla Peterson, Andrews, and Maddie Beaumont.
 
"We were all pushing ourselves today," said Andrews. "Not only is it senior day, but also play for the cure. As a team we left everything we had on the field. As a senior class we are really close and that has translated in the chemistry of the team, which has helped us be so successful this season."
 
The Lions came out strong taking a quick lead just minutes into the game. Hannah made a long pass from the right corner to Andrews. Andrews initial shot was saved, but she easily put home the rebound to put TCNJ on top 1-0.
 
Andrews found the back of the net a second time early in the second quarter, beating her defender down the left side, then lifting her shot over the sliding Kean goalie to extend the lead to 2-0. The Lions would take that advantage into the half.
 
The Cougars came out hungry in the second half. After drawing a penalty corner, Rachel Mills made the insert to Erin Donnelly, who immediately passed back to Mills for a goal that trimmed the lead to 2-1. Early in the fourth, Kean got another goal to tie the game.
 
Midway through the first overtime period, Kean earned a corner and fired a pair of shots toward the Lions net. Beaumont made both saves including a split inducing kick save to keep the game alive.
 
TCNJ out-shot Kean 20-12, including 11-0 in the first half.
 
The Lions are now one of just two teams in Division III that remain undefeated along with Centre College.
 
The Lions wrap-up the regular season next Saturday with a trip to Stockton University. Game time is 1 p.m.