By Christine Houghton
Sports Editor
The Lions captured a 2-1 victory over conference opponent Rowan University on Oct. 22.
The penalty-corner champs started off the game the only way they knew how, as freshman midfielder/defender Jess Hatch used the corner to make a strong pass to senior forward/midfielder Kayla Peterson for the game’s first goal early in the first quarter. Later in the quarter, sophomore forward Sophia Popp displayed her strong defensive efforts, as she cleared a shot that went past senior goalkeeper Maddie Beaumont. The lead would play out for the remainder of the first half, as both teams went into the third quarter with the College up 1-0.
Peterson started the second half off right with a skilled pass to senior forward Cayla Andrews, who pushed the ball into the goal, putting the team up 2-0. Rowan didn’t give up its hopes of winning and scored early in the fourth quarter, but could not move any other balls past Beaumont.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, the team edged out a 3-2 home victory over conference opponent and 11th-ranked Kean University. The Lions claimed their victory after full regulation and one overtime period.
Senior forward Cayla Andrews started the game off strong for the Lions, scoring just minutes into the first quarter. Andrews scored off a pass from senior forward Tori Hannah, which she pushed in after an initial miss.
Andrews followed up with another goal in the second quarter, beating several defenders to get the Lions on the board yet again. The team would carry the lead into halftime.
However, Kean would control the third quarter, as it scored once and prevented all offensive measures from the College. Kean would tie the score 2-2 early in the fourth quarter, but the effort would be in vain, as Andrews rounded out the game with a third goal. Beaumont put up an honorable performance, as she preserved the team’s lead into the final buzzer.
The team finishes out its regular season on Saturday, Nov. 2, when it takes on Stockton University on the road.
