ELMIRA, N.Y. - The TCNJ men's soccer team opened up its two-game weekend with a road match against Elmira Saturday afternoon, using a brace off the bench from
Aidan Ayar to secure a 3-1 win over the Soaring Eagles – the Lions' first of the season.
TCNJ (1-0-1) applied plenty of pressure early, racking up four corners and five shots – three on frame – in the opening 13 minutes before Ayar scored his first of the day at the 21:21 mark. A turnover in the midfield resulted in the ball at the feet of
Manny Thacher, who played a beautifully-weighted through ball to a streaking Ayar up the middle of the field. The sophomore carried the ball into the box and found the near post for his second goal in as many games to give the Lions an early lead.
Riding the momentum of their first, TCNJ would add a second less than five minutes later off the foot of
Tye Maser. The scoring chance began with a corner that was sent long, but keeping it in bounds was Thacher. The sophomore combined with
Matt Will to get the ball back into the box, where Thacher sent a low cross to a wide open
Tye Maser, who coolly sent it into the back of the net to double the Lions' advantage.
It was Elmira (0-2) generating the first chance in the second half in hopes of staging a comeback, but there to deny a shot headed for the bottom corner was
Carson Dodd, who was quick to the ground to keep the hosts off the board.
TCNJ turned up the pressure once again following the scare, getting shots on frame from both
Brennan Libo and Thacher before Ayar struck again to extend the lead to three and bag his first collegiate brace.
Preston Paul forced a turnover in the Soaring Eagles' end, finding
Rory Grace with space to run into. The sophomore beat one defender and sent a pass into the middle toward Ayar, who got just enough on it to chip Elmira's netminder and add another insurance goal to the Lions' tally.
An 87th minute goal from the hosts spoiled TCNJ's run at a shutout, but the lead was more than enough to earn the Lions' a 3-1 victory on the road.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- TCNJ outshot Elmira 19-5, including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal
- The Lions took seven corners – six of which came in the first half – to the Soaring Eagles' two.
NOTES
- Ayar's brace is the first of his collegiate career and pushes his goal tally to three in just two games, one shy of his total from all of last season.
- Thacher's two assists are also a career-best mark, matching his total from all of last season.
- Maser's goal and Grace's helper were the transfer duos' first points in TCNJ uniforms.
- Dodd made one save, allowing the lone 87th-minute goal in his first start of the year.
UP NEXT
- TCNJ is back in action Sunday, Sept. 6 to take on Ithaca, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
