The fifth-ranked College of New Jersey women's lacrosse team limited the 15th-ranked University of Mary Washington offense to four goals in an 18-4 victory over the Eagles on Saturday in a battle of nationally ranked foes in Ewing, N.J. Mary Washington falls to 7-4 on the season.

The Eagles entered the game averaging 15.3 goals a contest, but the Lions, which are ranked among the national leaders in team defense at a mere 3.6 goals a game, prevailed in the match-up of ranked teams.

The Lions roared out to the early lead scoring the games first five goals with freshman Alison Jaeger (Hampton, NJ/North Hunterdon) getting two of those markers and senior Karen Doane (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) picked up two assists during the run.

The Eagles got on the board with 16:53 remaining in the period as senior Caitlin Erickson (Cypress, TX/Cy-Fair), who is the nations leading scorer, scored breaking TCNJs streak of 126:31 of not allowing a goal.

The Lions countered with another run outscoring Mary Washington 6-2 the rest of way with senior Tara Klein (Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township) ending the half with a goal off of a free-position attempt as the horn sounded. It was her first goal of the season.

In the second half, TCNJ reeled off the first five goals of the new period to take a commanding 16-3 lead.

Mary Washingtons only goal in the second half came from on a free-position attempt as Brittany Butler (Easton, CT/Joel Barlow) tallied five seconds shy of the midway point of the period. TCNJ then controlled the clock the final 15 minutes, adding two more goals making the final 18-4.

Jaeger led the Lions with four goals and one assist, while Doane picked up three goals and two assists. Those three goals moved her into 10th place on the all-time goal list with 154 tying her with Melanie Vasofski (1994-97). Leigh Mitchell (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) added to TCNJs offense with three goals.

Senior Caitlin Gregory (Winslow, NJ/Eastern) collected the win for the Lions making three saves. In goal for the Eagles, Meredith Deitrick (Mountain Lakes, NJ/Mountain Lakes) finished with four saves in the opening half and Helena Polites (Bermyn, PA/Conestoga) picked up seven in the second half.

Offensively for Mary Washington, Emily Talbot (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan) finished with a goal and an assist.

The Lions returns to the road on Tuesday, April 1 with a 6:00 p.m. game at Drew University, while the Eagles are at Catholic University on April 2 with a 4:00 p.m. start.

2008-03-29