EWING, N.J. - The TCNJ men's soccer team had two reasons to celebrate Saturday afternoon.
 
The first came prior to the Lions' game against William Paterson, when they honored their five graduating seniors: Massimo Rodio, J.J. Zaun, John Ramos, Ryan Super and Ray Frost. The second came after the final whistle, when TCNJ's 2-0 victory over the Pioneers clinched the Lions a spot in the NJAC Playoffs for the first time since 2021.
 
TCNJ (9-3-5, 4-2-2 NJAC) threatened early on a pair of set pieces, but neither of Matt Maceri's headers could find their way past William Paterson's Luca Misko. It wasn't until the 28th minute that the Lions would break open the scoring with their first of two goals in less than 60 seconds.
 
With the majority of play taking place in the midfield to that point, Chris Meder forced a turnover in the Pioneers' (7-7-3, 3-3-2 NJAC) half and beat his defender down the left sideline. The junior got off a shot headed for the far post that was initially saved by Misko, but there for the rebound once again was Matt Will who sent a half volley into the bottom corner to give the Lions the 1-0 lead.
 
Riding the momentum of its first goal, TCNJ would strike again just 54 seconds later when a Meder pass led Rodio into the box, with the senior capitalizing on a Pioneers deflection to score his third of the season and double the Lions' advantage.
 
William Paterson looked to cut into the deficit with a pair of corners in the final seven minutes, but neither forced a save out of Sean Najdzinowicz to send TCNJ into halftime two.
 
The Pioneers upped the pressure out of the break to the tune of 12 second-half shots, but it was the Lions defense and Najdinowicz – the freshman saved all three shots that were on frame – standing tall en route to the 2-0, shutout win that clinches TCNJ a spot in the NJAC playoffs for the first time in five years.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Both teams took 14 shots in the contest, with the Lions holding a 6-3 edge in shots on goal.
• William Paterson took six corners to TCNJ's two.

NOTES

• Will's goal is his eighth of the season, putting him in a tie with Meder for the team lead.
  • The freshman has scored in four of the Lions' past five games.
• Meder's helper pushes his season tally to nine, a mark that leads the NJAC.
• Najdzinowicz made three saves in his fifth shutout of the season.

UP NEXT

• TCNJ is on the road Wednesday, Oct. 29 when the Lions take on Rowan in their regular-season finale, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.