JERSEY CITY, N.J. - The TCNJ men's soccer team took on New Jersey City in its penultimate road match Wednesday afternoon, playing the final 28 minutes with 10 men in a 1-1 draw against the Gothic Knights.
 
The Lions (8-3-5, 3-2-2 NJAC) controlled play early and nearly took the lead in the opening 13 minutes, but Chris Meder saw his penalty kick saved by NJCU's (4-9-4, 1-4-2 NJAC) Camilo Verdu. TCNJ's goal was delayed rather than denied, however, with Matt Will's headed goal off a feed from Meder giving the Lions the 1-0 advantage at the 15:19 mark.
 
Play settled over the ensuing 30 minutes with all signs pointing toward TCNJ carrying its one-goal lead into the half, but a costly mistake by Lawrence Mancino set up the hosts with a free kick that took a deflection past Sean Najdzinowicz and into the back of the net to level things with just five seconds left before halftime.
 
The Gothic Knights carried the momentum of their late score into the second stanza, but TCNJ's defense held strong against a trio of corners and shots in the opening six minutes to keep it a 1-1 game. Pressure on the Lions would become even greater in the 63rd minute, however, when Mancino was handed a questionable second yellow card that left TCNJ with just 10 men on the field over the final 28 minutes.
 
Despite playing down a man, the Lions actually generated more chances down the stretch – TCNJ got off four shots on goal compared to two for NJCU – but neither side could turn their chances into scores, with the final whistle ending proceedings in a 1-1 tie.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• NJCU held a 15-12 advantage in shots, aided heavily by a second half in which they outshot the Lions 13-8. TCNJ, however, had seven shots on goal compared to just four for the Gothic Knights.
• Will finished with a game-high three shots on goal, including one final effort in the 88th minute that was saved by Verdu.

NOTES

• The red card in the Lions' first of the season and means Mancino is ineligible to play in TCNJ's next game against WPU.
• Will's goal is his seventh of the season and third in his last four games. The freshman now has four scores in seven NJAC games.
• Meder's assist is the junior's team-best eighth of the season to pair with his eight goals.
• TCNJ is unbeaten in its last four as they continue their hunt to make the conference tournament for the first time since 2021.

UP NEXT

• The Lions are home for the final time this regular season Saturday, Oct. 25 to take on the Pioneers. TCNJ will be honoring its five graduating seniors prior to the game's 12 p.m. kickoff.