EWING, N.J. -  The TCNJ women's soccer team has created somewhat of a habit of falling behind early in its NJAC games this season. Lucky for the Lions, however, is that Alyssa Alfano has created her own habit of scoring game-winning goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation.
 
Both remained true in TCNJ's home match against the Gothic Knights Wednesday night, with Alfano's winner in the 87th minute clinching the Lions (8-4-4, 5-1-1 NJAC) a 2-1, come-from-behind victory – the team's fourth straight – and a top-three seed in the upcoming NJAC Tournament.
 
Alfano nearly did her work early in Wednesday's contest, but saw her one-on-one opportunity in just the third minute miss wide of the post. Emily Weidner saw a similar chance from the other side of the box 36 minutes into the game but also saw her attempt sail wide right.
 
By the end of the first half both sides had fired five shots on goal while both netminders were forced to make just once save before, with the halftime whistle sending the game into the break scoreless.
 
TCNJ came out aggressive in the second half generating a pair of point-blank chances for Maggie Murphy, but the sophomore saw both of her shots implausibly saved by newly-entered Jessica Martin. The freshman netminder made another save on an Alfano shot before the run of play flipped completely with a quick NJCU (8-6-2, 1-4-2 NJAC) goal giving the visitors the lead in the 54th minute.
 
The Lions remained the aggressors with a trio of shots from Alfano – one that drew another stellar save from Martin – and Murphy coming within minutes of conceding before TCNJ finally struck in the 75th minute.
 
Reilyn Carr did well to beat her defender and send in a cross that was initially parried away by Martin. First to the loose ball was Abby Najdzinowicz who had her shot blocked, but on the ensuing failed clearance attempt it was Weidner rifling a volley from 10 yards out into the netting to tie things at one.
 
The Lions kept their foot on the gas in search of a winner and found one in the 87th minute off the chest of Alfano. Ari Keily intercepted an NJCU clearance, won a joust and beat her defender before sending a low cross into the six. The ball squeezed past an indecisive Martin and toward the junior, who used her torso to finish the chance and give TCNJ its first lead of the night with less than four minutes remaining.
 
 The Lions made a defensive sub to help bolster its backline over the final three minutes and it paid off, with the final horn securing the 2-1, comeback win in front of the raucous home crowd.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• TCNJ held a convincing 20-9 edge in shots and 10-4 advantage in shots on goal.
• Alfano and Murphy combined for 11 shots, seven of which were on frame.
• The Lions also took six corners to NJCU's one.

NOTES

• The win is TCNJ's third straight in which they have scored the game-winning goal in the 80th minute or later. Alfano has scored all three of those goals.
• Alfano now sits at eight goals on the season, and has scored five in her last four.
• Weidner's goal was her fifth of the season and first since her brace against Montclair State.
• Keily is now second on the team with four assists, trailing only Alfano (5).
• The win clinches the Lions a top-three seed in the NJAC Tournament with two games left in the regular season.
• TCNJ is now 30-0 against the Gothic Knights, having won every game dating back to 1994.

UP NEXT

• TCNJ is on the road Saturday, Oct. 25 to take on William Paterson, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m.