Early Deficit Too Much for Lions

EWING –  The College of New Jersey men’s soccer team didn’t feel like it was at home.

With a decent turnout of visiting fans from William Paterson University, the Pioneers gained momentum and quickly put the Lions into a deep hole, one they could never crawl out of in a 3-0 loss at the TCNJ soccer complex.

William Paterson scored twice in the first four minutes, and the home Lions never recovered.

“The team came out flat against the Pioneers,” head coach George Nazario said. “They took advantage and knocked in an early goal.”

Off a William Paterson Pioneers corner kick in the first minute, Pioneers’ defender Charlie Lizardo jumped on top of Lions defenders and headed in JP Gonzales’ cross for the Pioneers first goal.

With the Lions’ defense seemingly still in disarray, William Paterson scored again on the next play. Midfielder Cameron Allen controlled a pass from Jordan Rosenblum and fired a shot that found its mark, ultimately ending any chance TCNJ had for a comeback.

It seemed as though Paterson controlled much of the tempo throughout the game, with midfielder/defensive back Keysean Brant-Sharp and Gonzales intercepting multiple passes and winning one-on-one situations.

“For our offense, it was tough trying to get through the net mainly because of shaky rebounds,” Nazario said. “Our team had a hard time with possession and William Paterson simply knocked off scoring opportunities.”

It took TCNJ 25 minutes to even register a shot on goal, as Michael Maltese took advantage of a breakaway from the Pioneers defense with a shot toward the right side of net. Pioneers’ goalkeeper Kyle Quigley was there, and surged forward and snared it out of the air.

Twelve minutes later, the Pioneers tallied their third goal when Allen tapped in a shot to the bottom left of the net.

TCNJ goalkeeper Michael Kayal recorded two saves in the first half.

The Lions were a different team in the second half with more physicality and aggressiveness.

Senior captain Michael Kassak set the tone as he ran past Pioneer defenders, secured a cross and shot closely at Quigley. Five minutes later, midfielder Kevin Nelan leaped in for a header off a corner kick from Peter Dresch. Neither found their mark.

“Our team definitely learned today that soccer is a 90-minute sport,” Nazario said. “Even though we were quickly down by halftime, our team got back on its feet and started defending and taking more opportunities. We will definitely continue this resilient playing into our next match against Drew.”

nglAs the Lions kept pressuring the Pioneers defense, several players from both sides got into a scuffle. They were given a warning from the referee.

“Put your foot in it and get it out!” Pioneers head coach Brian Woods screamed.

Despite their aggressiveness, the Lions’ offense continued to struggle. In the 57th minute, defender Nick Sample

dribbled to an open space on the left side and ripped a hard shot high off the right goal post.

With six minutes remaining, TCNJ’s Abdullah Afridi sent another speedy shot at the William Paterson goal, which was turned away. The Pioneers immediately countered when Kyle Adams launched a cross to the middle of the Lions’ penalty box until freshman midfielder Ryan Vazquez slid in and blocked it.

The loss drops the Lions to 4-3, while William Paterson extend its win streak to six games, five of them coming by shutout.

The College of New Jersey men’s soccer team didn’t feel like it was at home.

With a decent turnout of visiting fans from William Paterson University, the Pioneers gained momentum and quickly put the Lions into a deep hole, one they could never crawl out of in a 3-0 loss at the TCNJ soccer complex.

William Paterson scored twice in the first four minutes, and the home Lions never recovered.

“The team came out flat against the Pioneers,” head coach George Nazario said. “They took advantage and knocked in an early goal.”

Off a William Paterson Pioneers corner kick in the first minute, Pioneers’ defender Charlie Lizardo jumped on top of Lions defenders and headed in JP Gonzales’ cross for the Pioneers first goal.

With the Lions’ defense seemingly still in disarray, William Paterson scored again on the next play. Midfielder Cameron Allen controlled a pass from Jordan Rosenblum and fired a shot that found its mark, ultimately ending any chance TCNJ had for a comeback.

It seemed as though Paterson controlled much of the tempo throughout the game, with midfielder/defensive back Keysean Brant-Sharp and Gonzales intercepting multiple passes and winning one-on-one situations.

“For our offense, it was tough trying to get through the net mainly because of shaky rebounds,” Nazario said. “Our team had a hard time with possession and William Paterson simply knocked off scoring opportunities.”

It took TCNJ 25 minutes to even register a shot on goal, as Michael Maltese took advantage of a breakaway from the Pioneers defense with a shot toward the right side of net. Pioneers’ goalkeeper Kyle Quigley was there, and surged forward and snared it out of the air.

Twelve minutes later, the Pioneers tallied their third goal when Allen tapped in a shot to the bottom left of the net.

TCNJ goalkeeper Michael Kayal recorded two saves in the first half.

The Lions were a different team in the second half with more physicality and aggressiveness.

Senior captain Michael Kassak set the tone as he ran past Pioneer defenders, secured a cross and shot closely at Quigley. Five minutes later, midfielder Kevin Nelan leaped in for a header off a corner kick from Peter Dresch. Neither found their mark.

“Our team definitely learned today that soccer is a 90-minute sport,” Nazario said. “Even though we were quickly down by halftime, our team got back on its feet and started defending and taking more opportunities. We will definitely continue this resilient playing into our next match against Drew.”

nglAs the Lions kept pressuring the Pioneers defense, several players from both sides got into a scuffle. They were given a warning from the referee.

“Put your foot in it and get it out!” Pioneers head coach Brian Woods screamed.

Despite their aggressiveness, the Lions’ offense continued to struggle. In the 57th minute, defender Nick Sample dribbled to an open space on the left side and ripped a hard shot high off the right goal post.

With six minutes remaining, TCNJ’s Abdullah Afridi sent another speedy shot at the William Paterson goal, which was turned away. The Pioneers immediately countered when Kyle Adams launched a cross to the middle of the Lions’ penalty box until freshman midfielder Ryan Vazquez slid in and blocked it.

The loss drops the Lions to 4-3, while William Paterson extend its win streak to six games, five of them coming by shutout.

The College of New Jersey men’s soccer team didn’t feel like it was at home.

With a decent turnout of visiting fans from William Paterson University, the Pioneers gained momentum and quickly put the Lions into a deep hole, one they could never crawl out of in a 3-0 loss at the TCNJ soccer complex.

William Paterson scored twice in the first four minutes, and the home Lions never recovered.

“The team came out flat against the Pioneers,” head coach George Nazario said. “They took advantage and knocked in an early goal.”

Off a William Paterson Pioneers corner kick in the first minute, Pioneers’ defender Charlie Lizardo jumped on top of Lions defenders and headed in JP Gonzales’ cross for the Pioneers first goal.

With the Lions’ defense seemingly still in disarray, William Paterson scored again on the next play. Midfielder Cameron Allen controlled a pass from Jordan Rosenblum and fired a shot that found its mark, ultimately ending any chance TCNJ had for a comeback.

It seemed as though Paterson controlled much of the tempo throughout the game, with midfielder/defensive back Keysean Brant-Sharp and Gonzales intercepting multiple passes and winning one-on-one situations.

“For our offense, it was tough trying to get through the net mainly because of shaky rebounds,” Nazario said. “Our team had a hard time with possession and William Paterson simply knocked off scoring opportunities.”

It took TCNJ 25 minutes to even register a shot on goal, as Michael Maltese took advantage of a breakaway from the Pioneers defense with a shot toward the right side of net. Pioneers’ goalkeeper Kyle Quigley was there, and surged forward and snared it out of the air.

Twelve minutes later, the Pioneers tallied their third goal when Allen tapped in a shot to the bottom left of the net.

TCNJ goalkeeper Michael Kayal recorded two saves in the first half.

The Lions were a different team in the second half with more physicality and aggressiveness.

Senior captain Michael Kassak set the tone as he ran past Pioneer defenders, secured a cross and shot closely at Quigley. Five minutes later, midfielder Kevin Nelan leaped in for a header off a corner kick from Peter Dresch. Neither found their mark.

“Our team definitely learned today that soccer is a 90-minute sport,” Nazario said. “Even though we were quickly down by halftime, our team got back on its feet and started defending and taking more opportunities. We will definitely continue this resilient playing into our next match against Drew.”

nglAs the Lions kept pressuring the Pioneers defense, several players from both sides got into a scuffle. They were given a warning from the referee.

“Put your foot in it and get it out!” Pioneers head coach Brian Woods screamed.

Despite their aggressiveness, the Lions’ offense continued to struggle. In the 57th minute, defender Nick Sample dribbled to an open space on the left side and ripped a hard shot high off the right goal post.

With six minutes remaining, TCNJ’s Abdullah Afridi sent another speedy shot at the William Paterson goal, which was turned away. The Pioneers immediately countered when Kyle Adams launched a cross to the middle of the Lions’ penalty box until freshman midfielder Ryan Vazquez slid in and blocked it.

The loss drops the Lions to 4-3, while William Paterson extend its win streak to six games, five of them coming by shutout.