Ewing, NJ ... Every sports team has players who are characters. It's a matter of numbers. The very best teams, however, have players who possess character.

Character is not defined or uncovered during periods of success and achievement. Anyone can foster positive thoughts, be a good teammate, and exhibit patience or encouragement as a coach when the mechanisms are firing on all cylinders and the results are gratifying. The true test of character is when a team makes mistakes, experiences some misfortune, and encounters failure.

The Lions football team got their first stiff jab of the season when were defeated by Kean University 28-7 on Friday night in Union, NJ. They were served a little bit of everything in terms of dealing with matters that didn't go according to plan. TCNJ turned the ball over, was on the receiving end of a questionable call that resulted in a 62-yard touchdown run, and in the end, lost a conference game.

It's just one loss and their season has been a very, very good one entering their match-up with the College at Brockport. The defeat they suffered to the Cougars was not the first one in the program's history, nor will it be the last one. The question going into their showdown with the Golden Eagles, however, is how they will respond to the loss. Good teams call on their character in times of need.

“Without question I'll be more vocal at practice and make it point to keep everybody pumped up and positive,” said senior captain Craig Meyer. “You take what you need to out of a loss to get better, but then you need to have short-term memory with the game itself. You can't dwell on it because we have an important game with Brockport. Our work ethic just has to be that much better going into (today's) game.”

After last Friday's game, head coach Eric Hamilton gave his players Saturday and Sunday off to rest and recuperate. Monday was spent watching film, getting back to the basics on the field with some individual work, and then conditioning in the weight room. The rest of the week was spent preparing for the Golden Eagles. Brockport is looking to even their conference record after losing consecutive decisions to Montclair State and Rowan. With a historically physical team coming to town, the Lions must re-focus to get back to their winning ways.

“I thought we handled the adversity in that game (Kean) about as well as we could have,” noted Eric Hamilton, who has 195 wins to his credit. “We lined up and went toe-to-toe so from that standpoint and I think we learned a lot about ourselves. We didn't quit, we didn't go in the tank, and things didn't snowball.

“Now it's about moving forward. The longer you reflect on what's already happened, the more of a lingering effect it can have on Saturday (today). By the time Tuesday's practice rolls around, it's in our rear view mirror. If there is one thing for this team to take away from that game, it's to score early when we get the chance and avoid getting too far behind.”

That mindset may set up perfectly for this week's visiting opponent Brockport. The Golden Eagles have been outscored 89-43 in the opening half and the Lions hold a 130-65 advantage over their opposition before intermission. TCNJ is well-equipped with offensive weaponry and their defense is improving each week. Hamilton would like his squad to send a message on the opening drive of the game, whether it's on the offensive or defensive side of the football.

This past Friday is not the only game from which the Lions are looking to deliver a response. Last season, they had to digest a 51-48 defeat in Brockport, NY and are determined to turn the tables in 2009.

“The conference looks like it might be a toss-up this season so this is another big game,” said Meyer, who had five tackles (4 solo) at Kean. “Brockport is going to be a big, physical team that tries to pound it down your throat. We're just going to have to throw it right back at them and outwork them. And we haven't forgotten about last year's game either.”

A win would show that TCNJ is back on track. A unified effort by the offense, defense, and special teams from kickoff to the final whistle would be a demonstration that this 2009 team possesses character.