CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – The College of New Jersey field hockey team moved up to number five in the NFHCA rankings Tuesday, and the Lions proved why they earned that ranking, defeating DeSales University 6-1. With the win, the fifth-ranked Lions improved to 3-0 on the season, while the Bulldogs dropped to 3-2.
 
The Bulldogs came out and appeared to be in position to take the lead midway through the first period. After Maddie Beaumont made a sliding save, the rebound was lofted over the Lions goalie, but Sophie Popp made a backhanded defensive save to keep DeSales off the board. Beaumont recorded a pair of saves for the win.
 
The Lions opened the scoring less than a minute later. Kayla Peterson ripped a long pass from outside the arc that Cayla Andrews tipped past the goalie for her sixth of the season. Andrews would continue her hot start to the season late in the first quarter. First, after receiving an entry pass from Tori Tiefenthaler, Andrews spun around a defender and scored just inside the post. She then tucked the rebound of a Peterson shot past the goalie for the natural hat trick.
 
Early in the second quarter, Andrews scored her fourth of the game deflecting a shot by Tiefenthaler into the net. Camryn Ley followed by splitting a pair of defenders and ripping a backhand shot for the first goal of her career.
 
Late in the third quarter, DeSales scored a goal on a penalty stroke. The goal was the first allowed by the Lions this season. TCNJ had entered the game as one of just six teams in Division III yet to cede a score.
 
Late in the fourth quarter, a second Lion scored her first career goal. Tori Hannah played a long ball from the corner that Sara Waldron tipped into the cage.
 
With her four goals, Andrews moved into a tie for 12^th in program history for career goals with 52 and is alone in 15^th place for career points with 118.
 
TCNJ held a 25-6 shot advantage in the game.
 
The Lions now look ahead to what will be the premier Division III field hockey game of the week. TCNJ will play its first game in the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex when the Lions host seventh-ranked Messiah College. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.