PITMAN, N.J. - Four TCNJ student-athletes took home weekly awards from the New Jersey Athletic Conference following strong opening starts to their 2026 campaigns.
 
Aidan Ayar was named Offensive Player of the Week in men's soccer while Isabella Charles took home Defensive Player of the Week honors in women's soccer, with Sam Dech and Brayden Kelly garnering Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Week recognition, respectively, in football.
 
Ayar opened up his 2026 season on fire, scoring four goals in three games to get the Lions off to a 1-0-2 start. The sophomore found the back of the net off the bench in TCNJ's opener against Manhattanville and twice against Elmira before scoring the game's opening goal in a 2-2 draw versus unbeaten Ithaca. Ayar leads the NJAC in goals after opening week, having already matched his total from all of last season.
 
Charles served as one of the top two-way threats in the NJAC during opening week, scoring twice while anchoring a stout Lions defense in an undefeated start for TCNJ. The sophomore opened her season with a goal against Ursinus before adding a second goal while playing the full 90 minutes at center back in a shutout victory over 23rd-ranked Penn State Harrisburg.
 
Dech delivered a strong collegiate debut in Saturday's season opener against Lycoming, rushing 14 times for a team-high 65 yards and scoring his first career touchdown in the second quarter. The rookie gained at least five yards on half of his carries and was not stopped for a loss on any of them. 
 
Kelly, meanwhile, earned the start at outside corner and recorded an interception in his own debut. The sophomore returned it 33 yards to set up a short field and the Lions' lone score of the afternoon, adding three tackles and a pass breakup to his stat line.