Box Score

EWING, N.J. -- Sophomore Kathleen Notos (Pennsauken, N.J.) scored three times to help The College of New Jersey to a 4-0 win over the University of New England in first-round action of the 2010 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship played Wednesday afternoon at Lions' Stadium.

TCNJ (16-4), the nation's ninth-ranked team in the most recent National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Poll, advances to face Skidmore College (18-1) Saturday morning in the second round. The Nor'easters, after making their first appearance in the NCAA tournament, conclude the season at 13-7.

Notos put the hosts on the board 6:46 into the contest, tipping-in a shot by senior Jessica Falcone (Cherry Hill, N.J.). Almost 12 minutes later, sophomore Jillian Nealon (Whitehouse Station, N.J.) sent a cross into the middle that Notos re-directed into the goal, giving the Lions a 2-0 cushion.

Big Blue junior Michelle Oswald (Jay, Maine) had what would be UNE's best scoring chance of the day with less than two minutes to go in the first half, but her drive from the top of the circle rattled off the left post and out.

TCNJ had the advantage in shots during the opening frame (11-5), while the Nor'easters had the edge in penalty corners (7-6).

The Lions made it 3-0 in the 40th minute, as junior Alex Okuniewicz (Toms River, N.J.) converted a pass from senior Mary Waller (Bel Air, Md.) for her third goal of the season.

Notos wrapped up the scoring in the 52nd minute, putting in a rebound for her team-leading 16th goal this year.

In the end, the 19-9 margin in shots favored the home team.

"It was tough out there," commented UNE head coach Jane Hurt. "We didn't quite execute the way we have been the last few games. But give all the credit to TCNJ -- they were strong and fast, and played very well."

Junior goalie Shannon Syciarz (Garwood, N.J.) only needed to make a pair of saves for the Lions to post her eighth shutout of the season.

For UNE, senior Ayla Nelson (Auburn, Mass.) recorded six stops.

"I was extremely proud with our side though, as they kept working hard right to the end," added Hurt. "At the beginning of this season, if you had told me we were going to win the conference title and make it to NCAAs, I would've taken that. So this has been a good year."


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