By Matt Jones '17

Gettysburg, PA… The College of New Jersey men's soccer team fell to Gettysburg College 2-1 in the second overtime on Wednesday evening in a back-and-forth battle in Gettysburg, PA.

After a slow start to the game (no shots through the opening 15 minutes), Gettysburg College (8-3-2) got on the board in the 31st minutes. Henry Smith tucked away a shot from just inside the box for the lone goal of the first half. 

The Lions (7-7-2, 3-3-1 NJAC) came out strong in the second half of play and applied pressure in the Bullet's defensive third. Shortly following a corner kick by Peter Dresch (Highland Park, NJ / St. Joseph), TCNJ tied the game as Sam Monaco (Point Pleasant Boro, NJ / Point Pleasant Boro) collected the ball and scored in the 53^rd minute, making it his second goal of the season.

Dresh had an opportunity to put the Lions in front with 12 minutes remaining in the second half, as he headed a ball crossed in by Sean Etheridge (Oakland, NJ / Ramapo), but the attempt on goal hit the top of the crossbar.

Alan Miller (Westwood, NJ / Westwood) played goalkeeper for the Lions and finished with tjree saves. The Lions had a total of seven shots on goal throughout the match. Miller came up with two big saves in the final two minutes of regulation to send the game into overtime.

TCNJ fouled Gettysburg College early in the second overtime, which gave the Bullets a free kick a few feet outside the 18-yard line. Smith was able to kick the ball over the Lions wall and get it past Miller to end the contest.

TCNJ has two games remaining this regular season, both against New Jersey Athletic Conference opponents. The Lions will be at Kean University this Saturday at 4 p.m. and then face Rowan University in Lions Stadium at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26^th.