Senior Day Insert

Ewing, NJ--  The College of New Jersey men's soccer team defeated College of Mount Saint Vincent Sunday by a final score of 9-0. 

The Lions got on the board right away with some excellent passing in the fifth minute. Ryan Vazquez (Kinnelon NJ/Seton Hall Prep) punched one from in close in the left side of the box. Nick Sample (New Egypt NJ/New Egypt) sent a through ball to the right side that found Michael Kassak (Moorestown NJ/Moorestown) who sent it back to the left side to find Vazquez. In the 40^th minute, Vazquez struck again off a feed from Sample. Sample put the ball between the Dolphins defender's legs, and found Vazquez who was five yards out. Vazquez tipped in from his heel to give the Lions the 2-0 advantage.

In the second half, the freshman midfielder continued to terrorize the defense, as he punched in another goal to get the hat trick in the 46th minute. Abdullah Afridi (Skillman NJ/Hopewell Valley)  popped up a header off of a goal kick, and Vazquez ran the high ball down and found the back of the net. Afridi got in on the scoring next, as he controlled a pass in the center of the box from Vazquez and scored to stretch the lead to 4-0. Three minutes later, Afridi scored another one off of a setup from Peter Dresch (Highland Park, NJ/St. Joseph) as Dresch came up the right side and found Afridi in the center with a terrific pass. Vazquez converted on his fourth goal of the afternoon after Dresch once again sent a low pass in to the center off a strong offensive take. In the 79th minute, Kevin Esteves (Elizabeth NJ/Elizabeth) got in on the scoring with his first collegiate goal. Esteves was assisted by Ethan Mueller (Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp) who sent a pass from the right side to the center of the box. Four minutes later, Kassak punched one in just inside of the left post on a curving shot from 12 yards out after he received a feed from Vazquez. The final goal was scored by senior Matthew Paulo (Annandale, NJ/North Hunterdon) on a penalty kick. The goal was Paulo's first on his career. Paulo also played solid defense for the Lions, as he stopped several Dolphins offensive attempts. 

Michael Kayal (Mahwah NJ/Mahwah) got the win for the Lions in net. Daniel Mecadon (Flemington/Hunterdon Central) came on in relief and made three saves. Vazquez continued his impressive offensive hot streak, as he now has totaled 15 points in the last three games. 

The Lions out shot the Dolphins 35-10, and held the edge in corner kicks 5-1. 

At halftime, the Lions held a senior day celebration.

Next up for TCNJ is the season finale when they travel to Rowan University on October 25th. 

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