EWING, N.J. — The Catholic University field hockey team opened the season in style on Friday afternoon, stunning No. 11 TCNJ on their home turf with a 2-1 double-overtime victory.

Last season's Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year Mary Rojack provided both goals as head coach Rachel Palumbo's team avenged last season's 1-0 home loss to the Lions.

Despite Rojack playing the hero, it was a complete team effort by the Cardinals, who stood tall at all positions of the field to earn the victory. TCNJ outshot Catholic 24-13 but sophomore goalkeeper Abigail Kearney was in inspired form, making a career-high 12 saves.

After a cagey first quarter, Catholic got the scoring started when Kellie Caputo set up Rojack for the team's first goal of the new campaign. The goal came as Catholic made good on a strong stint of attacking play, having earned five penalty corners and forced the TCNJ goalkeeper into four saves in the three minutes of game time prior to the goal.

The Lions came out of the halftime interval on a mission to equalize, peppering the Cardinal defense in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter. TCNJ produced six shots and earned six penalty corners before Catholic could even muster one of either, but the Cardinals still held firm at that point.

It was with just under five minutes remaining when Catholic's defense was finally breached. Codie Sciacca grabbed the leveler as Claire Engebreth provided the helper following a penalty corner.

Having been so close to securing the win in regulation, Catholic did not dwell on the disappointment of conceding and were able to rally in double overtime.

It took some further heroics from Kearney in goal, making four saves in the first extra stanza. Midway through the second overtime frame, freshman Lauren Keast put the Lions defense under pressure, forcing them to concede a penalty stroke which Rojack converted with confidence, lifting Catholic to its first-ever win over TCNJ. 

Rojack has now equaled her season total in goals from her freshman campaign after just one game in 2023. Keast was joined by MaryKate Ardizzi in making her Catholic debut after earning the start for coach Palumbo. Niki Micciche forced two saves out of Saige Berkowicz in the Lion goal.

The Cardinals will look to build on this historic win and down another nationally-ranked team when they return home to Cardinal Stadium on Sunday. Catholic will look to avenge its most lopsided loss from last season when No. 3 Rowan comes to Washington, D.C. Opening push back is set for noon.