EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey field hockey team advanced to the New Jersey Athletic Conference championship game for the eighth time in the nine seasons featuring the tournament with a 4-0 win over Stockton Wednesday afternoon. The top-ranked Lions remain undefeated at 17-0 on the season, while the Ospreys dropped to 14-4.
 
"We were working well together today," said Kayla Peterson. "It's getting to the point of the season where you win and advance."
 
The Lions scored late in the first quarter when Cayla Andrews fired home the rebound of a shot by Tori Hannah. Midway through the second quarter, TCNJ earned a penalty shot. Jess Hatch confidently blasted home the stroke to give the Lions a lead they would take into the half.
 
After a scoreless third quarter, TCNJ struck for a third time early in the fourth. Jillian Farley received a pass on a Lions penalty corner. She made a centering pass to Andrews, who fired home the shot. Midway through the period, Peterson ripped a shot from the top of the circle and Andrews deflected it by the goalie to complete the hat trick. The goal was her 30^th of the season, moving her into a tie for fourth in program history with Jennifer Cortese. The assist was the 16^th of the season for Peterson, tying her for seventh most in a single season in program history.
 
"In the moment, I'm just passing to a teammate," said Peterson. "Looking back and seeing my name with those others, it's nice to see I've been able to make that kind of impact."
 
Maddie Beaumont was on task in net turning aside all four Osprey shots that reached her for the shutout.
 
TCNJ returns to action Saturday at 1 p.m. when it hosts the winner of the other NJAC semifinal between Rowan and Kean.