EWING, N.J. -  The TCNJ women's soccer team found themselves down two goals just over 10 minutes into their match against Rutgers-Newark Saturday afternoon, but would rally to score three unanswered – capped off by a second consecutive winner by Alyssa Alfano – over the final 80 to complete the comeback and earn a drama-filled, 3-2 win on Senior Day.
 
The Scarlet Raiders (8-7-1, 2-3-1 NJAC) wasted no time jumping in front in Saturday's contest, scoring two goals in the span of 72 seconds to stake a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes elapsed. Unfazed by the early deficit, the Lions (7-4-4, 4-1-1 NJAC) turned to their seniors to level the game just six minutes later.
 
Ari Keily struck first two minutes after TCNJ conceded its second goal, battling for a loose ball off a Maggie Murphy corner kick before firing the ball into the back of the net to trim the lead to one. Four minutes later it was the Lions converting on yet another corner, this time with Alfano's insert finding Abby Najdzinowicz who sent her header into the bottom corner, resetting the game at 2-2 with 30 minutes still to go in the opening half.
 
TCNJ began to take control of the game after Najdzinowicz' equalizer, commanding the lion's share of possession and firing off three more shots, but Rutgers-Newark's Alisha Perez did well to make a save on the lone attempt that tested her to send the teams into halftime tied at two.
 
Seemingly content to play for the tie, the Scarlet Raiders allowed the Lions to dominate play to the tune of 11 second-half shots, but it wasn't until the 80th minute that Alfano scored her second game winner in as many outings – this time coming from the penalty spot – to put TCNJ in front for good.
 
A handball on an attempted clearance set the junior up with her first penalty kick of the season, and with all eyes on the Lions' leading scorer it was Alfano coolly converting to put TCNJ in front for the first time on the afternoon.
 
The Lions kept the pressure on in the final 10 minutes, holding Rutgers-Newark without a shot before the final horn sounded to clinch the come-from-behind win on Senior Day.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• TCNJ held an 18-3 edge in shots, including a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal
• The Lions took all eight of the game's corners.
• Alfano led the way in both shots (6) and shots on goal (3).

NOTES

• TCNJ honored its six graduating seniors – Najdzinowicz, Raquel Garces, Caroline Mascone, Ramirez, Keily and Charlotte Hare – prior to kickoff.
• Keily's goal was the first of her Lions career to go along with her three assists.
• Najdzinowicz's score was her fourth of the season – tied for the second most on the team – and first since September 20.
• Alfano has now scored in three straight games and four of the last five, and leads TCNJ in both goals (7) and assists (5).
• The Lions remain unbeaten against Rutgers-Newark, having won every match dating back to 2000.

UP NEXT

• TCNJ is back home Wednesday, Oct. 22 to host New Jersey City, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.