EWING, N.J. – It took until the second half of the No. 1 TCNJ women's soccer team's eighth game for the Lions to allow a goal. With Wednesday night's game with Rowan tied at 1-1 in the second half, it took all of 44 seconds for TCNJ to retake the lead. The top-ranked Lions showed their offensive firepower by adding a third goal just two minutes after their second on their way to a 3-1 victory at Lions Stadium.
 
After Emma Pascarella broke the scoreless tie just 1:19 into the second half, it appeared a strong Lions attack and defense would squash any Rowan opportunity to tie the score. But the Profs (7-2, 2-1), found an opening in the 71^st minute when Aidan Sheehan scored to tie the game.
 
The buzz from the crowd had barely died down when the Lions retook the lead when Pascarella sent a bounding ball through the Rowan defense that found Nikki Butler. She scored to make it 2-1. Two minutes later, Ivonne Vazquez used a strong left-footed drive from the edge of the 18-yard box to beat Bristol Pizzuto to the far side.
 
The Lions held a 32-6 advantage in shots and a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Though the first half was scoreless, TCNJ outshot Rowan, 12-0. The Lions also controlled the play with strong energy in the period from Lindsay O'Keefe and Gianna Minerva. In the 25^th minute, Minerva centered a pass for O'Keefe from the right side that just missed a connection on a strong run.
 
In the 37^th minute, O'Keefe returned the favor with a slick lead pass to Minerva that led to a strong shot that just missed wide. And in the 43^rd minute, Pizzuto saved a header from Minerva to keep the game scoreless.
 
TCNJ returns to action on Saturday at Montclair State at 1 p.m.