Box Score

Ewing, NJ … A strong defensive effort led The College of New Jersey men's soccer team to a crucial 1-0 victory over William Paterson University on Saturday afternoon in TCNJ's Soccer Complex.

The Lions (8-4-2, 3-2-1 NJAC) and Pioneers (7-4-2, 2-3-1) entered the game with seven points each in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings. TCNJ registered three more points as junior Kevin McCartney (Old Bridge, NJ/St. Joseph's) laced a restart into the right-hand corner of the net with 8:36 remaining in the game to secure the home triumph.

Sophomore goalkeeper Maciej Libucha (Woodland Park, NJ/Passaic Valley) registered his first shutout of the season and he earned it making six saves in the game. Pioneer keeper Mike Diacheysn (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) had just one stop in the game as WPU held a 14-7 advantage in shots.

WPU had the better of play in the opening half, forcing Libucha to make a pair of tough saves. Pioneer forward Hugh Riley (Tinton Falls, NJ/Monmouth Regional) took a feed inside the box, but Libucha came out to stifle the shot attempt and keep the game scoreless. Late in the period, Jason Padilla (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) found the ball at his feet inside the penalty area, but once again Libucha raced out to make the stop.

Senior Kevin Shaw (Brookside, NJ/West Morris Mendham) created a few quality scoring chances as freshman Nick Costelloe (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp) and sophomore Greg Kaye (Morganville, NJ/Marlboro) had good looks on shots that sailed just wide.

The second half was evenly played, but match remained scoreless. WPU nearly took the lead when midfielder Mike Conte (Franklin, NJ/Wallkill Valley) hit a shot that was destined for the right corner. Costelloe, however, was there to make the stop to keep the game deadlocked at zero.

A hard foul outside the box gave the Lions a restart with under nine minutes to play. McCartney capitalized with the game-winning goal for the second time this season. The junior midfielder also tallied the difference-maker off a restart in the 1-0 overtime victory at Ramapo.

The Pioneers, who are averaging just under three goals per game, were shut out for just the second time this season.

TCNJ will remain at home when they take on Drew University on Wednesday night in Lions' Stadium at 7:30 p.m. William Paterson travels to St. Joseph's College-Long Island for a 7 p.m. kickoff.