CNBNews

EWING, NJ (MAY 4, 2024)– Senior goalie Mel Rodgers made 16 saves and Rowan battled but fell just short in its bid to upset #9 TCNJ in the 2024 NJAC Women's Lacrosse Championship game, with the Lions winning, 11-8. Elaina Corson and Molly Green led the Profs with three goals apiece.
 
Rodgers faced 27 shots on goal and turned away six in the first quarter to help Rowan get off to a strong start. Her 16 saves marked the second highest total of her career.
 
In a game that was worthy of championship status, it was nip and tuck with six ties and seven lead changes, as neither team led by more than a goal until the third quarter. With the game tied at 6-6 after a goal by Green at 4:18 of the third, TCNJ got the first two-goal advantage of the game, 8-6, at :41 before Fiona Lockhart pulled the Profs within one, 8-7, with 20 seconds left in the quarter.
 
TCNJ's Marissa Lucca scored her second of three goals in the final 18 minutes of play at 14:33 to give the Lions a 9-7 lead. Trish Gillen scored the Profs' last goal, off a pass from Alexis Lowry, again pulling them within one, 9-8, with eight minutes to play. But TCNJ answered with two straight, as Lucca's goal at 6:01 became the final margin as the Profs couldn't convert in the final minutes.
 
"From one side of the field to the other, we were connected and in control. We had some balls not bounce our way, some turnovers we would like to get back, but overall, I am extremely proud of this young group of women who played with a purpose today and just fell short," said Rowan head coach Lindsay Delaney.
 
Corson had Rowan's lone goal of the first quarter as the game was tied, 1-1, after the first 15 minutes.
 
The teams traded goals throughout the second quarter. After Green gave Rowan a 2-1 lead, TCNJ went up, 3-2. Green tied it with a tally at 8:32 and Corson connected on one off  a pass from Gillen as Rowan regained the lead, 4-3. TCNJ scored the next two to take a slim 5-4 lead at halftime.
 
Corson tied it up, 5-5, with the first goal of the third quarter and after another TCNJ goal, Green knotted the game again, 6-6, with 4:18 remaining.
 
TCNJ, which won its 13th straight conference title, ended up with a 35-24 advantage in shots, but Rowan converted 6-of-11 free position shots.

Rowan (8-11), which was the second seed in the conference tournament, ends its year making its third consecutive appearance in the NJAC Championship game.