UNION, N.J. – Erin Jaffe's goal 43 seconds into overtime dashed the hopes of upset-minded Kean University on Tuesday as the no. 11 TCNJ lacrosse team left with a 9-8 victory. With the win, the Lions improved to 2-1 on the season, while the Cougars fell to 0-3. The game was a non-conference contest as the teams will meet again in Ewing for a conference game on April 21.
 
TCNJ opened the extra session with a draw control win by Sabrina Phillips. After moving the ball to open up the Cougars defense, Jaffe split dodged passed her defender and beat the Cougar goalie for the game-winning goal.
 
The Lions jumped out to an early lead. Jennifer LaRocca scored a pair of goals and Katherine Naiburg as well as Jaffe each scored to put TCNJ up 4-0. The Cougars fought back with a pair of goals by Maddy Leigh, but Jaffe added two more to complete her hat trick and send the Lions into the break up 6-3.
 
Kean closed the gap early in the second half, scoring twice to cut the TCNJ lead to just one. LaRocca and Jaffe scored back-to-back goals that put TCNJ up 8-5 with just over eight minutes remaining. The Cougars scored with five minutes remaining, then scored on a free-position shot with 33 seconds remaining. Kean won the draw and called time out with six seconds remaining. Katie Pileggi began an iso at the top right of the free position arc. She fought to the center of the field and scored past the left foot of Ali Natalicchio to force the extra session.
 
Natalicchio made six saves to lead the Lions' defensive effort. Jillian Westerby led TCNJ with four ground balls. Five Lions had two ground balls each.
 
The Lions return to action when they open NJAC play at Montclair State on Saturday.