LIVE VIDEO
LIVE STATS
NCAA BRACKET
 
WATERVILLE, Maine – The TCNJ lacrosse team last weekend earned its 36^th straight trip into the NCAA Tournament's Round of 16 with its victory over Babson in a second-round game after earning a first-round bye, and the reward is a return trip to Colby College for a matchup with Western Connecticut State on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
 
HOW THEY GOT HERE
The Lions defeated Babson, 21-9, to improve their record to 8-2 on the season, and TCNJ was fairly in control from the opening draw, getting goals from Jennifer LaRocca, Anna Wright, and Erin Jaffe in the game's first four minutes.
 
After a Babson timeout and goal, Anna Devlin and Jillian Westerby answered with goals that continued to showcase the high-powered and deep TCNJ offense. LaRocca's third goal of the game with just under seven minutes to go in the half put TCNJ on top 10-4.
 
Leading by five at the half, TCNJ pulled away in the second half by outscoring the Beavers, 11-4. Eight draw controls by Devlin and seven from Westerby helped the Lions to a 20-12 overall advantage on the draw. Westerby and Kaela Sierra each had three ground balls to lead all players in the game. In net, Alexa Natalicchio made six saves to earn the victory.
 
SCOUTING WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE
WestConn enters Saturday's tilt with the Lions with a 10-0 record this season after sweeping through the Little East Conference and winning a pair of conference tournament games. The Colonials defeated Plymouth State, 13-3, to win the conference title and clinch the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.
 
WestConn led their conference in several statistical categories this season, and it currently ranks third nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 4.3 goals per game. The Colonials also rank eighth in the country in turnover per game, committing just 11.9, and 17^th in scoring margin, winning games by an average of 10.3 goals per game.
 
NJAC WEEKLY AWARDS SWEEP
Jennifer LaRocca was named NJAC Offensive Player of the Week, Jillian Westerby was selected as NJAC Defensive Player of the Week, and Sabrina Phillips was chosen as NJAC Rookie of the Week.
 
LaRocca scored four goals and added a game-high three assists in the win. It is the second time the junior has earned a weekly conference award.
 
Westerby stuffed the stat sheet on both sides of the ball, compiling seven draw controls, three ground balls, and a caused turnover on the defensive side. The sophomore added a hat trick with three goals on the offensive end. Westerby earned her fifth career weekly conference award.
 
Phillips had four draw controls, two ground balls, and a caused turnover for the defense to win her first-career weekly award.
 
A TCNJ WIN WOULD…

• Send the Lions to their 36^th NCAA Round of 8 appearance in program history
• Set up a Round of 8 matchup with either Tufts or Roger Williams on Sunday at 6 p.m.