Union, N.J. (3/30/21) - #11 The College of New Jersey edged the Kean University women's lacrosse team by the final of 9-8 in overtime on Tuesday afternoon in non-conference action.

The Cougars (0-3) have never defeated the Lions (2-1) in their 12 year history, but this contest was the closest (one point differential) in series history and the first in which TCNJ did not score in double-digits.

Katie Pileggi led the Cougars with three goals, including the game-tying goal with just four seconds left on the clock in regulation.

TCNJ jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of action, highlighted by two goals from Jennifer LaRocca.  Kean chipped away and Maddy Leigh cut the deficit in half with back-to-back goals four minutes apart.  TCNJ's Erin Jaffe added two more before the break to give the Lions a 6-3 advantage at intermission.

Pileggi stormed out of halftime with two goals to pull Kean within one (6-5).  TCNJ scattered two goals over the next 15 minutes to lead 8-5 with eight minutes to go.  Kean did not go quietly as Lauren Pluta tacked on a free-position goal with five minutes to go. 

The Cougars rallied with less than a minute on the clock as Emily Bretschneider pulled Kean within one with 33 seconds to go and Pileggi sent the game into overtime with an unassisted marker with four seconds on the clock.

Jaffe spoiled the Kean comeback with the overtime golden goal 43 seconds into extra period.

Pileggi added an assist and three caused turnovers as well as eight draw controls. 

Kean opens NJAC play on Saturday when they travel to Rutgers-Camden at 1 p.m.