GLASSBORO, N.J. – The TCNJ field hockey team fell to No. 2 Rowan, 5-0, on the road Monday evening as the Lions opened up NJAC play.

Despite what the final score indicated, TCNJ's defense managed to keep the game competitive and allowed the Lions to hang in the game until deep into the third period before the Rowan offense caught fire.

The Lions opened the game on the front foot with two consecutive shots on goal from Claire Engebreth and a 4-0 penalty corner edge in the first quarter. However, the Profs responded with four corners of their own in the second to shift the tide in their favor.

Rowan (10-0, 1-0 NJAC) scored its first goal with 6:45 in the second quarter when Bridget Guinan connected on a tough backhanded lofted shot which floated over Lions goalie Dani Britton and the TCNJ defense before dropping into the cage.

Jess Hatch nearly scored the equalizer with 21 seconds left in the half after splitting two Rowan defenders on the right side of the shooting circle, however her attempt was deflected by Profs goalie Abby Hainsworth.

TCNJ (4-5, 0-1) entered the half with a slight 4-3 edge in shots on goal and was tied in penalty corners with Rowan at 4 apiece.

With 3:32 left in the third, Rowan added onto its lead when Vanessa DiDonato scored off assists by Liz Fox and Kristiina Castagnola on a corner.

The fourth was all Rowan. The Profs quickly tacked on two insurance tallies within the first four minutes of the final frame on penalty corner opportunities, before scoring their final goal of the night with under six minutes to go. DiDonato completed a hat-trick on the night for the home team.

TCNJ was led by sophomore Rayhanah Ahmed's season-high six shots, with five of them being on target. Engebreth finished with four total shots and three on target, and Hatch put both her shots on cage.

The Lions return home to the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex Wednesday as they host Moravian at 4 p.m.