EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ field hockey team shut out Montclair State, 3-0, on Senior Day to close out the 2022 regular season on Saturday afternoon.
The seniors made their mark felt by combining for one goal and two assists on the offensive end and keeping the Red Hawks (10-8, 3-3) to just five total shots, and recording four saves, on the defensive end. With the win, TCNJ clinched the No. 2 seed in the NJAC Tournament.
Also leading the way, sophomore Rayhanah Ahmed scored early and often in the first quarter of the game to set the tone for the Lions. Her first goal came at the 7:05 mark of the game after she received an excellent feed from senior Kileigh Pfluger and beat one defender for the shoot and score.
She struck again nearly three minutes later on a penalty corner, this time the recipient of a
Sophie Popp pass near the top of the shooting circle before firing a shot that evaded multiple Red Hawks defenders to land in the back of the cage. Ahmed closes out the regular season leading the Lions in points, with 25, and tied for first in goals with 10.
The Lions (11-5, 5-1) entered the half with a 9-1 advantage in shots and a 5-1 edge in penalty corners. Senior
Dani Britton made the save on the lone Montclair State shot attempted.
Late in the second half, senior Jess Hatch scored the final goal of the game for the Lions on a penalty stroke that shot just out of reach of the Red Hawks goalkeeper.
For the Lions, eight total seniors and super seniors were honored after the game in the senior day ceremonies. Hatch finishes her regular season with the most assists on TCNJ (7), and third most goals (7) and points (21). Britton recorded the 21st win and ninth shutout win of her career after recording four big saves on the day. Pfluger finishes the regular season with a career-high five assists, and Popp finished with a career-high 11 points scored.
Lauren Cammarata and Shannon Decosta each played key roles in the Lions' defensive efforts. Kayla Cichlar and Emmalee Olsen were also honored after the game.
TCNJ closes out the regular season having won its last seven games in a row, and winning eight of the last nine games. The team has now shut out its past four NJAC opponents.
The Lions will host an NJAC semifinal against third-seeded Kean next Wednesday. The start time is currently scheduled for 4 p.m. TCNJ won the regular-season meeting, 3-1, on the road back on October 8.
