Ewing, NJ – The Montclair State women's lacrosse team gave No. 2 ranked The College of New Jersey all it could handle deep into the second half before the Red Hawks fell to the Lions, 8-3 in the NJAC opener at Lions Stadium on Saturday.

Senior LINDSAY LARE had all three goals for the Red Hawks, who fell to 7-3 on the season (0-1 NJAC). Kasey Donoghue, Kathleen Jaeger and Mia Blackman had two goal each for TCNJ, which upped its record to 7-3.

Montclair kept the Lions off the board for the first 12-plus minutes thanks in part to a solid defense and an outstanding effort from freshman goalkeeper AMANDA MAGUIRE. TCNJ outshot MSU 19-3 in the first half but couldn't manage much against Maguire, who made nine saves in the opening period.

Blackman got the first goal of the game with 17:48 left but that was answered by Lare who knotted the game at 1-1 with 13:46 to play. Jaeger put the Lions back in front however Lare connected with 5:06 to go remaining as the teams were tied at halftime, 2-2.

It would be nearly 15 minutes before any would score in the second half. Jaclyn Douglas got New Jersey the lead with 16:32 left but Lare countered 48 seconds later forging the third deadlock of the contest, 3-3.

But that would be the last goal for Montclair as the Lions registered the final five goals. Blackman got TCNJ the lead for good with 14:38 to go and Donoghue added another a minute later making the score 5-3. Kristine Biche extended the lead to three before back-to-back goals from Jaeger and Donoghue inside seven minutes provided the final score, 8-3.

Maguire finished with 13 saves for the Red Hawks. LEANNE MCCLOSKEY had four draws while FRANCESCA VERRONE forced a pair of turnovers. LAYAL ISSA led MSU with three ground balls along with a caused turnovers.

Montclair State returns to action on Tuesday, April 11 with another road contest. The Red Hawks head to Allentown, PA to face Muhlenberg College at 4:00 pm in a makeup of their snowed out contest back in late March.