NJAC Release

PITMAN, N.J. – On Tuesday, the New Jersey Athletic Conference announced its preseason coaches' poll for the 2019 men's soccer season. The College of New Jersey was selected to finish ninth in a vote of the league's head coaches.

TCNJ will look to build off of a 10-6-2 season in 2018. Head coach George Nazario is set to enter his 25^th year at the helm of the program. Nazario has compiled a record of 234-171-50 during his tenure.

The Lions return an abundance of experience from last year's squad, as there were only two seniors on the 2018 team. Ryan Vazquez put forward an explosive season on the offensive end last year. He tallied 14 goals which was good for fourth in the conference and 34^th in all of NCAA Division III. He was a Second Team All-NJAC honoree as well as a Third Team United Soccer Coaches All-South Atlantic Region recipient.

Michael Maltese returns after being named to an All-NJAC Honorable Mention in 2018. Maltese was a valuable two-way player, as he posted six assists and a goal along with his defensive efforts. Maltese ranked second on TCNJ in assists last season, as well as eighth in the conference.

Also returning on the defensive front is Matt Decker. Decker put forth a strong campaign last year, as he pitched in on the defensive shutouts in seven games. He was a member of the All-Tournament team for the Drew Fall Festival and TCNJ Men's Soccer Classic. Decker led the squad in minutes played with 1,531.

Daniel Mecadon made 11 starts as goalkeeper last season, and led TCNJ in saves (52), shutouts (4), and wins (5). He ranked fourth in the NJAC in saves per game with 4.73, and tallied a goals against average of 1.62 on the year. Michael Kayal made six appearances with four starts, and posted 26 saves on the year.

Ryan Santos contributed to the offensive efforts last season, as he scored four goals and tallied three assists. James Pike started in 17 games and notched five assists on the year.

TCNJ will open up the 2019 season at the Catholic University Tournament in Washington D.C. The Lions face Lycoming College on Aug. 30, and will take on Gettysburg College on Aug. 31. The home opener is against Brooklyn College on Sept. 4. The conference portion of the schedule opens up on Sept. 21 when the Lions travel to Rutgers-Newark.

Montclair State University topped the NJAC poll and received eight first place votes. Ramapo College landed in second with one first place vote, while Rowan University fell third with one first place vote.

Follow the Lions all season long right here on tcnjathletics.com.