EWING, N.J. – The TCNJ field hockey team is set to begin play in the 2022 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament by hosting a round one matchup against the Phoenix of Wilson College on Wednesday afternoon. It marks the 37th time in program history that the Lions have played in the National tournament.

The game is scheduled for an early afternoon start at 2 pm. Stream of the game, as well as live stats, will be available on the Field Hockey schedule page on the TCNJ Athletics site.

Entering the game, the Lions also made a return to the national poll, ranking 15^th in the week nine version of the NFHCA Coaches' Poll Tuesday afternoon.
 
THE SEASON THUS FAR
The 2022 season proved to be an up-and-down one for the blue and gold. After a scorching hot 3-0 start in which the Lions shutout each of their first three opponents for the first time since 1999, TCNJ went on a 1-5 stretch in which they lost four straight one-goal games.

The Lions then quickly turned the season around, erupting for an eight-game win streak which was capitalized by a 4-3 overtime victory against Kean in the NJAC Semifinals. Advancing to the NJAC Championship game, TCNJ would ultimately lose a hard-fought 1-0 defensive battle against Rowan on the road.
 
LAST TIME OUT ON THE NATIONAL STAGE:
After a quick one-year hiatus following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lions will officially return to the National Tournament for the first time since the 2019 season, when the team started out 18-0 and won the NJAC tournament to clinch the automatic qualifier and a first seed. The Lions hosted Franklin & Marshall in the second round in a high-scoring game which ultimately ended in a 3-4 defeat.

All members of the 2019 team, the current senior class of Dani Britton, Lauren Cammarata, Sophie Popp, Kayla Cichlar, Shannon Decosta, Jess Hatch, Emmalee Olsen and Kileigh Pfluger bring valuable postseason experience.

Specifically, the trio of Lauren Cammarata, Sophie Popp and Jess Hatch all made starts in the 2019 game against Franklin & Marshall.
 
WILSON PLAYERS TO KNOW:
Winning their third CSAC Conference Championship in a row this past Saturday, the Phoenix are led by senior midfielder Alexis Pflumm, the 2022 Co-CSAC Player of the Year. The senior leads the visiting Wilson in total points scored (30), ranks second in goals (12) and third in assists (6).

An All-CSAC First-Team selection, Phoenix goalkeeper Allyson Shindley has put together a stellar season protecting the goal for Wilson. The senior has helped lead seven shutout wins and has a 1.16 Goals Against Average and a 0.719 Saves Percentage on the season.

Freshman Paige Ney saw an excellent rookie season, leading the Phoenix in goals (13) and being second in total points (28). She was an All-CSAC Second-Team selection.