Prior to her first college lacrosse game, Elizabeth Morrison went out to eat with her fellow freshman teammates.

The first-year players expected to be more spectators than contributors in the season opener.

Then The College of New Jersey coach Sharon Pfluger made a surprising announcement.

"When we were in the locker room, she casually mentioned that I would be playing," Morrison said. "I got really nervous. I didn't expect to be playing. ... It was probably my worst game of the season."

With help from her veteran teammates, Morrison eventually settled into her starting job. She's played a significant role in the powerhouse Division III program's highly-successful season. The Lions (16-3) captured their fifth straight New Jersey Athletic Conference championship last weekend and qualified for the national tournament for the 31st consecutive season.

Morrison, who led Stonington High School to state championships in girls' lacrosse and field hockey as a senior, will never forget capturing her first college conference championship. TCNJ routed Rowan University 14-5 on Saturday. She also had her first career goal and assist in a semifinal win over Kean University.

"It was a good feeling," Morrison said of winning the title. "That's something that I want to continue during the rest of the postseason."

Morrison, a starter for all 19 games, has helped anchor the top-ranked defense in Division III. The Lions have allowed 4.92 goals per game.

Conference coaches recognized Morrison's impact, selecting her as the NJAC rookie and defensive player of the year. She ranks first in the conference in ground balls, second in caused turnovers and fifth in draw controls. She also made all-conference first team.

"I got rookie of the week three times, so I expected that to happen," Morrison said of receiving the top rookie honor. "For the defensive player of the year, I was really surprised about that. ... I play with the No. 1 defense in the country. I look up to the juniors and seniors. I wasn't expecting to get it."

Morrison has a busy stretch ahead of her. She is studying for next week's finals and also getting ready to play in her first NCAA tournament.

As a biology major, she has a challenging course schedule. Her goal is to be a doctor. This summer, she plans on getting her EMT license. She also wants to run a youth lacrosse program in Stonington.

"Lacrosse has been such an influential part of my life," Morrison said. "It changed a lot for me."

The College of New Jersey has been a perfect fit for Morrison, who was attracted to the school size and the strength of the academic and lacrosse programs.

The location — the campus in Ewing is roughly three and a half hours from Stonington — also met her requirement of being relatively close to home.

"It all came together," Morrison said. "I couldn't think of myself at any other college."

If Morrison has her way, she'll be at college a few more weeks. The College of New Jersey hosts St. John Fisher College (14-5) on Sunday in the NCAA tournament.

A victory would send the Lions to the regionals at Trinity College in Hartford on May 16, giving her a chance to play close to home.

Morrison is excited about playing in the NCAA tournament but admits it will be a bit nerve-racking for a freshman.

"Nobody wants to lose," Morrison said of postseason play. "Every game is going to get more and more intense. Stakes are going to be higher and higher. ... I'm real nervous. With support of my team and coaches, they're going to prepare me well for the upcoming games."

Morrison will enter postseason play a much more confident player than she was in her first game back in late February.

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe