Box Score
Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's soccer team suffered a 2-1 setback in double overtime to Rowan University in the semifinal game of the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament on Wednesday at Lions' Stadium.
The Lions (7-6-4) battled to the end, but it was an unceremonious conclusion to their 2009 season. Junior John Loiodice kept the ball in bounds when senior Jason Chroma's headball missed wide right. He collected the ball and fired it into the back of the net before freshman goalkeeper Adam Friedman (Chester, NJ/West Morris Mendham) could get back into position for the save. Loiodice's goal came with 3:06 remaining in the second overtime.
TCNJ wasted no time in their opening game of tournament play as Andrew Lampitt (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hills West) redirected a pass from Ray Nelan (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) just 1:20 into the match to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. Nelan brought the ball down left side to the end-line and hit Lampitt in stride with a cross in front of the goal-mouth.
The Profs (12-5-5) battled back showing explosive speed up front, but senior Adam Dorflinger (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central), junior Phillip Cunha (Milford, NJ/Immaculata), and Mike Razzoli (Parlin, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) kept the Rowan offense in check through the intermission.
Rowan tied the game 1-1 when junior Randy Kohr headed in a loose ball off a corner kick. It was Kohr's third goal of the season.
TCNJ and Rowan battled hard in the second half, but came up empty offensively. The Profs had two quality scoring chances in the final eight minutes of regulation. Friedman came up with a tremendous save when sophomore Zack Zahrend took a pass inside the box and went in uncontested. Friedman's kick-save on the shot kept the game knotted at one and ultimately sent it into overtime.
The Lions had the better part of play in the first overtime. Anthony DiPalmo (Somerdale, NJ/Triton Regional) had a shot that went wide right and senior Anthony Staropoli (Raritan, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) created several chances on offense.
Rowan held a 16-15 shot advantage in the game. Prof goalkeeper Charlie Cunliffe recorded six saves for his 13th win of the season. Rowan will visit Montclair State on Saturday, November 7 in the NJAC tournament championship game.
