EWING, N.J. – The FDU-Florham field hockey team played No.1 The College of New Jersey to a 1-1 draw through 37 minutes of play but ultimately came up short in their 5-1 loss on Tuesday night.

The Lions (2-0) scored four unanswered goals to hand the Devils (3-1) their first loss of the season. The win for the defending NCAA Champion Lions was their 17^th in a row.

Despite playing under duress for most of the contest, FDU-Florham senior goalkeeper Amy Defnet battled in net and made a career-high 20 saves in the loss.

After the Lions netted a rebound goal 10:45 into play, Defnet locked in and kept the opposition scoreless for the remainder of the first stanza. The senior netminder made 16 stops over the first 35 minutes of action.

With Defnet keeping the Lions out of the cage, reigning MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Week Kim Davis pulled the Devils even just 1:55 into the second half. Davis received a timely pass from teammate Gabby Allen and promptly fired it past TCNJ goalkeeper Kelly Schlupp. The goal was Davis' fourth in as many games this season.

However, the Lions' defense locked down and prevented the Devils from attempting a single shot the rest of the way. TCNJ junior back Lexi Smith responded soon after and set off a string of four straight goals for the home team.

The Lions fired 35 shots in the win, including 25 on cage. Smith led the way for the top-ranked team with two goals, while teammates Taylor Barrett, Jaclyn Douglas, and Alicia Wagner each netted one.

FDU-Florham returns to action when they visit Gwynedd Mercy University this Saturday, September 12 at 4 p.m.