Fabiano anchoring TCNJ’s quest for 12th national title

When Christina Fabiano arrived at The College of New Jersey, the depth chart at goalie ran four deep and she wasn’t exactly hovering around the top.

What a difference a couple years make.

Fabiano is not only the top goalie at TCNJ, the senior recently was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Goaltender of the Year.

“My freshman year we had four goaltenders and I was pretty much last in that lineup,” recalled Fabiano, as the Lions prepare for Saturdays NCAA second round game against Cortland State on the Lions Stadium turf.

“I started out at the bottom, worked hard and waited my turn,” added Fabiano. “I had some excellent goalies in front of me. I practiced hard to be the goalie I am for my senior year.”

Fabiano will be in the cage as the Lions (15-3) face the Red Dragons (18-3) at 11 a.m. The second game has 16-4 Centre College (Danville, Ky.) taking on MIT (162) at 2 p.m.

The two winners will play Sunday for a berth in the NCAA Division III Final Four.

Cortland State has won 13 straight and allowed just six goals in that stretch. It advanced with a 4-1 win over Keene State on Wednesday.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game,” said Fabiano. “We are not going to underestimate them. We know what we are capable of, it’ll be tough but not out of reach.”

TCNJ has won four straight and 11 of the last 12, including getting a little revenge in the NJAC final, downing Kean, which defeated the Lions in the regular season.

Elizabeth Morrison leads the Lions with 39 points on 15 goals and nine assists, freshman Tori

Tiefenthaler leads in goals with 17, Cayla Andrews has 11 and six and Allentown’s Kayla Peterson has nine goals and four assists.

The defense has conceded only 18 goals this season. Fabiano has an amazing 0.99 goals against average, she has been the conference Defensive Player of the Week five times and has recorded five shutouts.

“Christina has had a great season,” said TCNJ coach Sharon Pfluger. “We are so proud of her.”

Fabiano is extremely proud of her defense, too.

“I’m really honored by the NJAC awards,” said Fabiano. “I put in the work, but the defense in front of me really made it happen. The defense has really stepped up and helped me out. This team really had my back this year.”

Fabiano didn’t play field hockey until her junior season at Wayne Hills.

“I never thought field hockey would be in my future,” said Fabiano. “I never realized what this program was all about until I was in it. Then once I was in, it was game over. The goal every single year is to win it all. It’s my dream to play for a national championship.”

The TCNJ program has 11 national titles, the most recent in 2014, and being a senior it’d be a great way for Fabiano to cap off her career.