EWING, N.J. – Trailing 4-3 with 10:57 remaining in the first half, The College of New Jersey lacrosse team scored 15 unanswered goals to close out the game and defeat Kean University 18-4 Wednesday night in the semi-finals of the NJAC Tournament. With the win, the 16th-ranked Lions improve to 12-5 while the Cougars fell to 7-11.
 
Just over a minute into the game, Alexandria Fitzpatrick scored her 55^th goal of the season to put the Lions on top. Fitzpatrick would lead the Lions with five goals in the game, also extending her goals scored streak to 19 games.
 
"It's the playoffs," said Fitzpatrick. "If you lose you're done. That was the motivation for us tonight."
 
The Cougars answered with a pair of goals to claim an early 2-1 lead. Erin Jaffe provided the response that tied the score, then Olivia Cleale found the back of the net for her 26^th of the season to reclaim the lead for the Lions.
 
Kean would again respond with back-to-back scores. Meghan Tillger gave Kean the 4-3 lead with 10:57 to play in the first half, but that would be the last time the Cougars would find the back of the net.
 
Fitzpatrick scored again to tie the game at 4-4. Erin Harvey scored her 23^rd of the season, to give the Lions a lead they would not relinquish. Jessica Allen, Cleale and Fitzpatrick scored again in the opening frame to put TCNJ up 8-4 at the half.
 
The scoring continued in the second half as TCNJ outscored Kean 10-0 after the break. Included was a pair of goals by Kathleen Jaeger that wrapped around a natural hat trick from Kasey Donoghue. Jaeger also set a career-high with seven ground balls, thanks in large part to a strong TCNJ ride that forced the Cougars into a 8-16 mark on clears.
 
"I was just in a good place at a good time," said Jaeger. "A lot of my teammates were making plays in the midfield and I just happened to be there to take advantage of it."
 
The Lions forced Kean into 22 turnovers while committing just eight in the contest.
 
TCNJ advances to the NJAC final where they will meet Rowan University on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Lions Stadium. The Profs defeated Montclair State University 13-9 in the other semi-final.