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There is only one team in Lions’ men’s soccer program history that can call itself a national champion and that is The College of New Jersey 1996 men’s soccer team.
Playing in their second title game in six years, the Lions claimed the national crown in dramatic fashion as senior Mark Laurinaitis scored the game-winning goal with six seconds remaining in the fourth overtime period to defeat Kenyon College 2-1.
Entering the NCAA tournament for their eighth consecutive year, the Lions had come close to a national title, finishing runner-up in 1991 and placing third in 1994. Second-year head coach George Nazario and a cast of talented players went on a historic run that was packed with thrilling moments and emotional victories.
Owning a 12-5-1 regular season record, TCNJ ran off five, consecutive one-goal wins en route to the championship. They defeated a pair of New Jersey Athletic Conference opponents in the regional round, edging Rowan University 3-2 in the opener. A pair of goals in the final five minutes upended Richard Stockton College 2-1, eliminating an Ospreys team that held the top ranking in the region.
The Lions then defeated Williams College 1-0 in overtime. Williams was the defending national champion and had eliminated the Lions from the 1995 NCAA tournament. The goal was scored by Bertrand Louis, which was his first and only goal of the season. That placed TCNJ in the semi-final match against Ithaca.
With the game scoreless after 120 minutes of regulation and overtime periods, the match would be decided on penalty kicks. TCNJ and Ithaca each made their first four attempts. Lions goalkeeper Rob Jordan then produced a save, allowing Jason Cairns to put away the game-winner and send TCNJ to the title game.
In a battle that was played in messy field conditions, Kenyon struck first just 7:12 into the game. The Lions tied the game later in the first half when Laurinaitis poked in the equalizer at the 30:39 mark.
The game remained 1-1 through regulation and three overtime periods. TCNJ was awarded a penalty kick with under 20 seconds remaining in the fourth overtime period. The ball was played in, and after a scramble in front, Laurinaitis made history. He scored his second goal of the game and gave the Lions their first-ever national crown.
From that team, Cairns earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Umbro First Team All-American honors, while teammate Brian Bianco was named to the honorable mention All-American team. Nazario was tabbed Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year. Along with Cairns and Bianco, Jordan, Chris Foley, Jeremy Beardsley, and Garry Lindstra also earned NJAC honors that season. Albie Lobbato was named NJAC Rookie of the Year.
