The College of New Jersey Athletics

EWING, N.J. - The TCNJ men's soccer team kicked off its 2026 campaign in dramatic fashion Tuesday night, twice taking the lead before a late Manhattanville equalizer forced the Lions to settle for a 2-2 draw in their home opener.
 
The first real chance of Tuesday's contest came in the 21st minute, but the Valiants' Roberto Velasquez-Osario saw his one-timer from just inside the box parried away and saved by Sean Najdzinowicz. Velasquez-Osario – Division III's active leader in goals scored – found himself with another golden opportunity 15 minutes later, but up to the challenge once again was Najdzinowicz, who coolly hauled in the senior's flicked attempt at goal to keep the game scoreless.
 
A TCNJ (0-0-1) counter in the final five minutes ended with the ball at James Brady's feet with two to beat only for the freshman's attempt to be handled by Manhattanville's Jesse James de Ruiter, sending the sides into the break level.
 
Tuesday's second stanza began much like the first before the floodgates finally opened in the 64th minute.
 
First to strike was Matt Will, who sent a free kick from a near-impossible angle over the 6-foot-3 de Ruiter, off the crossbar and in at the far post for the Lions' first goal of the season. Responding quickly, however, were Velasquez-Osorio and Nickolas Pagan, who combined down the middle of the field before the latter snuck his shot past Najdzinowicz and in the tie things at one.
 
Another save at the door stop by Najdzinowicz  in the 76th minute prevented a Pagan brace that would've put the visitors in front, instead setting the stage for TCNJ to retake the lead on a great individual effort from Aidan Ayar.
 
Elias Blount launched a throw-in 25 yards down the field toward the sophomore, who did well to get himself between his defender and the ball. Ayar took two touches at de Ruiter before slotting the ball inside the near post with the outside of his foot to give the Lions the 2-1 advantage with just over five minutes to go.
 
TCNJ appeared destined to start their season with a win following Ayar's finish, but an 89th-minute equalizer spoiled the Lions' night, ending the back-and-forth affair in a 2-2 draw.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• TCNJ was narrowly outshot, 11-9, including a 6-5 edge in shots on goals.
• Manhattanville finished with four corners – all of which came in the second half – to the Lions' two.
• Najdzinowicz posted four saves.

NOTES

• Will's goal was already the 10th of his career, tying the sophomore for the second-most among active players.
• Ayar's second-half goal pushed his career tally to five.

UP NEXT

• TCNJ will look to grab its first win of the season Saturday, September 5 when the Lions take on Elmira. Kickoff for TCNJ's road opener is set for 2 p.m.