Box Score

Ewing, NJ … The College of New Jersey men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Drew University in Lions' Stadium on Wednesday night.

Senior Ricardo Castro (Mexicali, Mexico/El Cajon) knocked in a rebound with just over 17 minutes remaining in the opening half, which turned out to be the difference in the match. Junior goalkeeper Michael Reyes (Delran, NJ/Delran) made three saves to post his sixth shutout of the season.

The Lions (8-5-2) played with great energy in the opening 20 minutes of the half. They rattled off five shots and produced two quality chances. A Ryan Sullivan (Bridgewater, NJ/Immaculata) header off a corner kick sailed wide and a shot by junior Kevin McCartney (Old Bridge, NJ/St. Joseph's) in the box off a feed was saved by Michael Reyes.

The Rangers also applied pressure early on and finally broke through with 17:07 remaining in the period. Joseph Cereste (Kenilworth, NJ/Dave Brearley) ripped a shot from the left side that TCNJ goalkeeper Maciej Libucha (Woodland Park, NJ/Passaic Valley) dove to his left to stop. Daniel Ratyniak (Forked River, NJ/Lacey Township) followed the shot, but Libucha denied a second attempt. Castro then deposited that rebound into the open net for his fifth goal of the season, and third in two games.

Libucha finished with eight saves in the match.

The Lions came on strong midway through the second period, but could not find the back of the net. McCartney sent a cross-field pass to an open Kevin Shaw (Brookside, NJ/West Morris Mendham) inside of 25 yards, but the ball skipped by on the turf to stall the scoring chance.

With 1:46 remaining in the game, sophomore Tokio Nakamoto (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick) lofted a shot from the left side, but it skimmed off the crossbar and out of bounds.

TCNJ held a 14-12 advantage in shots. The 1-0 loss marked the first time this season the Lions have been held scoreless.

TCNJ returns to New Jersey Athletic Conference action this Saturday when they host Kean University at 11 a.m. in the soccer complex. It will be a festive atmosphere as Homecoming and Senior Day will be celebrated by the Lions. Drew will host Goucher College on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.