EWING, N.J.  — The Catholic field hockey team started the 2025 season off on the road against 23rd-ranked TCNJ on Saturday afternoon. After grabbing a goal in the second quarter, the Lions were able to control the match and added a second half goal to hold off any comeback attempt by the Cardinals to take a 2-0 victory.
 
The Lions took control of the match in the first half as they held the Cardinals to just one shot and got off 10 of their own. Ali Simmons cracked the scoreboard first for TCNJ off of a penalty corner that was set up by Jadyn Huff to take a 1-0 lead. Maddie Pennisi registered a shot after a penalty corner was sent in by Tess Hake but the Lions kept the shutout intact and took the lead into halftime. 

Catholic outshot TCNJ 4-2 in the third quarter, while creating solid chances to break through, but could not find the back of the cage and Emma Jordan scored for the Lions midway into the final quarter to create a 2-0 lead that would hold up to take the victory. 

Ella Bowman had a lot of key saves in the match, finishing with eight saves which was just two shy of her career high. 

Pennisi led the team with three shots with Bella Reyes and Molly Romano adding the other two shots for the Cardinals.

Catholic's next game will be its home-opener on Wednesday, September 3 at Cardinal Stadium when they take on Randolph-Macon at 6 pm.