EWING, N.J. - After Sunday's opening game featuring NYU and Arcadia ended in a scoreless draw, it appeared as though Game 2 between the TCNJ women's soccer team and SUNY New Paltz was headed for the same result. Maggie Murphy and Abby Najdzinowicz, however, thought otherwise, with the former drawing a penalty with just 9.6 seconds left in the game before the latter converted it to give the Lions a drama-filled, 1-0 victory over the Hawks.
 
There was little to separate the sides in a first half that saw SUNY New Paltz (1-2) hold a narrow 5-3 advantage in shots on goal. The best chance of the opening stanza came from the Hawks' Laney Schmitz in the 37th minute, but the senior's shot from 15 yards out was collected coolly by Ellen Williams.
 
Sunday's second told much of the same story until Ari Keily nearly earned herself a spot on the SportsCenter Top 10 with a shot at the 71:26 mark. The senior stole the ball in New Paltz' final third, dribble inside and fired a shot that was bending toward the far post, but a fully-extended dive from the Hawks' Jess Centeri knocked the ball just wide of the post to keep TCNJ off the board.
 
Time continued to tick without either team creating a chance after Keily's shot, but it was the Lions putting together one final effort after drawing a corner in the 90th minute. Taylor Bielan sent in a ball that was initially cleared, but only as far as Murphy. With the ball still inside the 18, the sophomore aimed a shot toward goal that was blocked by a New Paltz defenders' arm, drawing a penalty with just under 10 seconds to play.
 
Stepping up to the spot was Najdzinowicz, who sent a low ball into the bottom right corner for what would be the game's only goal, securing TCNJ a hard-fought, 1-0 win at home.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Lions narrowly outshot the Hawks 10-9, including a 5-4 lead in shots on goal.
• TCNJ also held a 6-2 advantage in corners.
• Both Williams and Schmitz made four saves in the contest.

UP NEXT

• TCNJ is back on the road to take on Arcadia Wednesday, Sept. 10, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.