Ewing, NJ (10/23/10) - The College of New Jersey field hockey team held off a late charge from visiting Montclair State University to remain undefeated in conference play as the Lions edged the Hawks 3-2 on Saturday.

TCNJ reeled off the game's first three goals before the Red Hawks countered with a pair in the second half.

The win puts the 12th-ranked Lions at 4-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and 13-4 overall, while the Red Hawks dipped to 8-6 overall and 1-2 in the conference play.

Senior Jessica Falcone (Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic) netted TCNJ's first two goals scoring 4:05 apart early in the opening half. She got the hosts off to a fast start scoring 3:02 into the game diving forward to knock in a pass from junior Alex Okuniewicz (Toms River, NJ/Toms River South).

The Lions doubled that lead just 4:02 later as Falcone struck again with sophomore Camille Passucci (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) earning an assist. The Red Hawks had back-to-back chances to trim TCNJ's lead late in half as DEANA HAGEL (Fairfield, NJ/West Essex) had two rapid shots that Lion goalie Shannon Syciarz (Garwood, NJ/Arthur L. Johnson) kicked aside.

TCNJ made it 3-0 as junior Leigh Mitchell (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) picked up her 11th goal of the season 1:42 into the new half. Montclair State battled back as JESSICA MURPHY (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) scored on a penalty corner to assist going to Hagel on the insert. That goal came 8:59 into the half.

The Red Hawks made it a one-goal game with 8:24 left in regulation as BRITTANY CARROLL (Kingston, NY/Rondout Valley) netted her fourth goal of the season with an assist from REBEKAH KELLER (Berlin, NJ/Eastern).

Syciarz picked up her 13th win of the season, making three saves.

In goal for the Red Hawks, sophomore MEGAN BOSLAND (Boonton, NJ/Boonton) finished with eight saves.

Each team had a defensive save as senior Kristen O'Neill (Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City) had one for TCNJ and KELLY CHURCHILL (Newton, NJ/Newton) had one for the Red Hawks.

TCNJ continues conference play on Tuesday with a game at Kean University, while the Red Hawks return home on Wednesday to take on Richard Stockton College in another NJAC match-up.