@jeremyroth44[/author_info] [/author]
EWING – The halfway point of any team’s season is a time for both reflecting and foreshadowing. What’s done is done and what will be is a matter of what is.
The men’s soccer team at The College of New Jersey has the right to celebrate heading into the second half of the season. After defeating Drew University 3-1 on Wednesday night, the Lions closed out the first half with a 6-1-2 record. Not to mention, entering the game, Drew was ranked #23 in the nation according to the Division III Men’s National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) coaches poll.
This is the best first half that the program has seen since 2007, and in that year, the team made an appearance in the quarterfinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament.
To kick off the home stretch and bulk of their conference schedule, the Lions take on Kean University today at Lions Stadium at 1 p.m.
Both teams are experiencing favorable seasons thus far, and this could quite possibly be an NJAC tournament preview. Kean is coming into the game fresh off of its sixth straight victory, and with an 8-1 record, the team is near the top of the NJAC standings and on the bubble of national recognition.
“We are looking to rebound in conference play after losing our NJAC opener to Rutgers-Newark in the final three seconds,” said senior defender Dan McMillan. “Our win against Drew on Wednesday was a great team performance and we definitely have momentum heading into the weekend game, which we need against a tough opponent like Kean.”
Defense has been a key to the Lions’ success thus far, and they are going to need it more than ever on Saturday. Kean has outscored its opponents 38-4 in the first nine games, and there was only one game in which the team was held below three goals.
Although the last meeting between these two teams ended in a 4-0 Lions’ loss, Kean has not always had the upper hand. In fact, the last eight matchups featured six TCNJ victories.
“I think the mentality of the team is that we do not lose at home,” said McMillan. “We have come out with a lot of energy in our three home games so far which makes life difficult for our opponents.”
This will be the first conference game for the Cougars, and a true road test as well. The Lions are unbeaten at home this season, and they hope to keep the bleachers rocking on Saturday.