[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://conjsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Roth-Headshot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]By Jeremy Roth
@jeremyroth44[/author_info] [/author]
EWING – Fans of The College of New Jersey’s men’s soccer team packed the bleachers Saturday afternoon to watch their men’s soccer team attempt to continue its impressive three game home winning streak. Despite a hard fought effort right until the final whistle, the home crowd witnessed a first, and hopefully for the Lions, a last.
Despite heading to halftime tied 1-1, TCNJ dropped a 4-1 decision to Kean in a game that saw bodies flying to the ground and in turn had fans jumping out of their seats.
“I think everyone is just more comfortable playing on a familiar field, and we all get pumped to play in front of all our family and friends that come to support us and watch us play,” senior midfielder Jordan Kayal said prior to the game.
At the start of the game, the Lions showed just how motivated they are to play in front of their loved ones and home fans. Right from the get-go, the offense peppered Kean goalkeeper Chidi Iloka with a three shot sequence, nearly scoring in the blink of an eye.
TCNJ owned the first 15 minutes of play, as they managed to rip a total of seven shots on net before freshman Nick Provenzano tapped in the game’s first goal on an empty net.
A collision that sent Iloka into an aerial front flip left room for Provenzano to strike. This was Provenzano’s second goal of the season, and the initial spark to what proved to be a strong first half for the Lions.
Although tensions were high following the score, the Lions held their ground and worked the ball through every crease, crack and crevice of the field.
“Great chemistry amongst a team puts everyone on the same page and forces everyone to think the same way,” said junior defender Domenic Polidoro. “When the entire team knows how we are trying to play and where players should be in certain situations it allows us to pull off plays without delaying a second to think.”
Team chemistry was very prevalent as the Lions managed to hold Kean to just five shots on goal in the first half. Kean freshman Kenny Rocha knocked in a tying goal with three minutes to go in the half, but the Lions still showed no signs of slowing down.
The game remained a stalemate heading into halftime, and the home fans stayed glued to the edge of their seats as the teams exited the field.
But Kean came out of the gates hot to begin the second, scoring in the early minutes to go up by a goal.
The physical play from both sides, however, did not come to a halt. Bodies bruised and bashed each other left and right, and yellow cards were handed out on each side on two different plays all within about 15 seconds of play.
Momentum shifted more and more towards the Cougars’ way as the time ticked down in the second half. Kevin Olaya increased the team’s lead with a penalty kick at the 10-minute mark, and Timofei Kharisov knocked in the extra cushion just a few minutes later.
The Lions, despite the loss, still hold a strong record of 6-2-2 heading into Stockton this upcoming Wednesday night.
If the momentum from the first half of the game makes more than just another cameo appearance, the Lions may still be on the right track moving forward.
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