Eight goals in three games were all the Lions' field hockey team needed, as they remain undefeated this season at 10-0.
The Lions sank No. 10 ranked archrival Rowan University 1-0. Senior defender Meg Hess scored the winning goal in overtime - her first goal of the season and perhaps the most important one so far for the Lions. Freshman Jessica Falcone assisted on the goal. The Lions are now ranked No. 1 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Poll.
Senior goalkeeper Erin Mitschke had nine saves over the course of the week.
"The team is the basis of my success," Mitschke said. "Without them, we wouldn't be having such a successful year ... We've all come together to try to be the best, not only for ourselves, but for each other."
With the win, the Lions are 2-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
Last Wednesday, the Lions cruised right by the Crusaders of Susquehanna University by a score of 4-1.
It was a record run for the Lions as senior forward Allison Greene tallied her 100th point as a Lion. She is the fourth Lion in the program to reach the milestone. Her goal found the back of the net on a pass from junior defender Ashleigh Pecherski. Four minutes later, Falcone scored her third goal of the season.
"It feels great to be 10-0," Falcone said, "but we just have to think that so many teams are out to beat us and we have to be ready to play every game."
After play was halted for nearly an hour due to lightning, the scoring continued as senior forward Jessica Berkowitz tallied a point, followed by a goal by sophomore midfielder Kelly Mitchell. Pecherski earned another assist for the day on the goal.
The Lions were unable to earn the shutout as sophomore forward Kristen Epting of the Crusaders scored on a play coming from a penalty corner.
On Saturday the Lions picked up their 10th victory as they beat Eastern University 3-2. Going into the game, both teams were undefeated.
After Eastern scored its first goal, the Lions charged back with three goals in a row before the end of the first half. Sophomore forward Katie Reuther scored first, earning her seventh goal of the season.
Minutes later, Falcone contributed a goal that put the Lions in the lead. Then, Berkowitz scored the game-winner, her eighth goal of the season.
"When Eastern scored first, we all just stayed calm because we knew we could fight back for the win," Falcone said. "It makes it a lot easier when you're on the field and you know you can trust that everyone on the team is working their hardest."
Working hard is what the Lions have been doing all season and if they keep the pace going, head coach Sharon Pfluger and her team will head back to compete for a National Championship.
After the early goal, Eastern was only able to score once more on a penalty corner with no time left in regulation. Eastern now stands at 12-1.
The Lions continue the fight for an undefeated season as they play Salisbury University on Saturday at 1 p.m.
