UNION, N.J. -The TCNJ men's soccer team kicked off a two-game road trip with an NJAC match against Kean Saturday afternoon, falling behind early before scoring four unanswered to secure a 4-1 win over the Cougars. The win keeps the Lions unbeaten through their first 10 games of the season, tying the program's longest streak to start a campaign since 1994.
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Despite a strong start to Saturday's game from TCNJ, it was Kean (2-5-3, 0-2-0 NJAC) scoring the match's opening goal at the 20:42 mark to take the early lead. As was the case against the Lions' midweek game against third-ranked Rowan, however, TCNJ did not find itself behind for long, getting an equalizer in the 42nd minute on a nice individual effort by
James Brady to send the sides into halftime tied at one.
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With momentum on their side out of the break, the Lions took just 18 minutes to turn what was a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 advantage thanks to goals by
Nick Luddy and
Matt Maceri.
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The freshman struck first in the 52nd minute, carrying a ball down the line from
Rory Grace all the way into the box before beating Juan Orozco at the far post to give TCNJ its first lead of the afternoon. Eleven minutes later it was Maceri doubling the Lions's lead, taking an attempted punchout by the Cougars' netminder off the back and sending it just inside the near post for his fourth goal of the season.
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The Lions continued to search for a dagger and got one from
Tye Maser in the 84th minute, with the junior controlling a beautifully weighted longball from Maceri. Alone in the box with just the keeper to beat, Maser slotted the ball into the corner to extend TCNJ's lead to 4-1 where it would stand until the final whistle.
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INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Lions held a slight edge in both shots (14-10) and shots on goal (6-3).
- TCNJ took eight corners to Kean's three.
- Luddy and Brady each finished with a game-high two shots on goal.
NOTES
- Brady's goal is the first of his collegiate career.
- Luddy's second goal of the season is also his second game winner.
- This was the first time in Maceri's career he has registered a goal and an assist in the same game.
- Maser played a season-high 44 minutes and scored for the first time since September 5.
- Sean Najdzinowicz made two saves to earn his first win of the season.
UP NEXT
- The Lions wrap up their road trip Wednesday, Oct. 7 with a match against Montclair State. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
