EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ lacrosse team advanced to a seventh-straight NJAC Championship game, deafeating Rowan, 19-12, on Wednesday afternoon. The 15^th-ranked Lions improved to 6-2 on the season, while the Profs closed out the year at 3-7.
 
"I think it's really special to get to the NJAC Championship game," said head coach Sharon Pfluger. "There is a lot of great competition in our conference, so it is always an accomplishment just to get there. I'm very proud of our young ladies, and this is a great opportunity for us."
 
The Lions faced deficits of 3-1 and 5-3 in the first half before exploding for an 7-0 run. With four minutes remaining in the opening frame, Jillian Westerby intercepted a Prof pass and made the feed ahead to Erin Jaffe to start the fast-break attempt. Jaffe made the pass to Anna Devlin on the crease to kickstart the run. Jaffe and Anna Wright each scored twice in the final three minutes of the half to send TCNJ into the break up 8-5.
 
Jennifer LaRocca scored to open the second half, then found Anna Wright for the fourth of her career-high seven goals to cap the rally.
 
"Anna's a really good shooter," said Pfluger. "It's been a matter of confidence for her and she had that today. With experience you gain confidence, and it's really nice to see her score and add more depth to the offense."
 
Leading 17-11, Rowan gained possession off the draw with just over five minutes remaining. A Rowan attacker fired a shot that was saved by Ali Natalicchio, but the rebound fell right to the stick of another Prof. Natalicchio moved across the crease and stoned another shot, before Wayden Ay intercepted a pass that shut the door on the comeback effort. Natalicchio made seven saves to earn the win.
 
Westerby led all players in the game with 10 draw controls and Devlin added eight of her own. Westerby and Ay each caused three turnovers to lead the Lions. Larissa Hatzold had a team-high four ground balls.
 
The Lions will look to win a tenth-straight NJAC Championship on Saturday when they travel to Montclair State, who defeated Stockton, 20-10 in today's second NJAC Semifinal. TCNJ had won three straight NJAC Championships prior to the implementation of the conference tournament in 2014.