Galloway, N.J. – Stockton University (13-3, 3-1 NJAC) knocked off 17th-ranked The College of New Jersey (9-4, 3-1 NJAC) 4-2 for Stockton's fourth consecutive win. The victory was the first for the Ospreys over TCNJ since the inaugural meeting between the teams in 2003, the first year of the Stockton program.
The win was Stockton's 13th of the season, the third-highest total in program history. The triumph also denied the Lions the NJAC regular-season title, which they would have clinched with a win. Stockton and TCNJ are now tied for first at 3-1, with Rowan sitting at 2-1.
Carlee Thompson (Gibbsboro/Eastern Regional) scored two goals on rebounds and
Kirsten Bailey (Burlington Twp./Burlington Twp.) also netted two markers for the Ospreys. Stockton outshot TCNJ 12-10 and never trailed in the game.
In the second quarter, Bailey corralled a long centering pass from
Allie Palumbo (Mantua/Clearview), held off a Lions' defender, spun and fired a backhand into the cage to give the Ospreys a 1-0 edge. Rayhanah Ahmed tied the game 33 seconds into the third quarter.
Just 4:26 later, Thompson gave Stockton the lead for good as she knocked in the rebound of a shot by Palumbo that was saved by TCNJ goalie Brigitte Racey. Thompson scored her second of the game nine minutes later by potting another rebound following a Racey save on a shot by
Ameera Bilgrami (Voorhees/Eastern).
Mackenzie Hart cut the margin to 3-2 less than a minute into the fourth quarter but Stockton tacked on an insurance goal on a penalty corner 1:45 later.
Makayla Alessi (Manahawkin/Southern Regional) tipped a shot toward the left post and Bailey knocked it in for her league-leading 12 goal of the season and a 4-2 advantage.
The Stockton defense was stout from start to finish, with Bilgrami, Alessi and freshman
Kaelin Drey (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown) keeping the Lions at bay. Freshman goaltender
Hannah Ayari-Dias (North Caldwell/West Essex) made seven saves in the 4-2 triumph while Racey finished with four stops for TCNJ.
Stockton will continue a four-game homestand by hosting 13th-ranked Kean University on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
