UNION, N.J. – The TCNJ field hockey team got the tying goal late in its NJAC Tournament semifinal match at Kean on Wednesday night to force overtime, but the Cougars scored less than a minute into the second overtime period to defeat the Lions, 2-1. TCNJ entered as the No. 3 seed in the tournament while Kean was the No. 2 seed.
 
After Kean scored less than a minute into the second half with a goal by Megan Keeney, it appeared that it may hold up as the game-winning goal. Not to be denied, though, the Lions upped the pressure in the fourth quarter.
 
TCNJ had five penalty corners and three shots in a five-minute span midway through the fourth quarter, and the Lions finally broke through with less than five minutes to play in regulation.
 
Rayhanah Ahmed continued her impressive freshman season with an assist on the tying goal, sending a pass in that was tapped home by Kayla Cichlar with just 4:50 to play in the game.
 
In the first overtime, both teams had chances to end it. A shot from Keeney in the slot to the left of the cage looked destined to end the game, but TCNJ goalkeeper Dani Britton made a great save moving to her right to deny the opportunity. Camryn Ley added a defensive save later in the sequence.
 
On TCNJ's side, Jess Hatch earned a penalty stroke with 4:59 remaining in the first overtime, but her shot sailed wide of the cage to keep the game tied.
 
The goal for Kean in the second overtime came about the only way it appeared that the Cougars could beat Britton, by way of a fluky deflection. Keeney centered a pass from deep in the right corner, and Ja'Carra Jackson got her stick on the ball and deflected it short side past Britton to give the Cougars the victory.
 
Ahmed had a game-high four shots, all on goal. Mia Lanzilotta had three shots, all on goal. Christina Cammarata also had three shots.
 
Britton made seven saves, a career high.
 
TCNJ now awaits the NCAA Tournament selection announcement on Sunday.