By Shawn Retta
Staff Writer
A 3-0 win against a formerly undefeated Neumann capped off a successful out of conference performance. This is the second season in a row where they have entered New Jersey Athletic Conference play undefeated, and in their first match against No. 3 ranked Rowan, they ended the match still undefeated.
With two goals in six minutes, sophomore Matt Maceri had himself a day to remember. Those goals set the tone for a dominant endgame, which was able to shut down the Neumann defense.
The strong defensive performance was highlighted by Sean Najdzinowicz, who has now recorded back-to-back blanks for the first time this season. This comes after giving up five goals in his first three starts to begin the season.
“I think I’ve just been more comfortable and confident in the last couple games. I’ve been able to stay focused, make the saves I need to make, and communicate well,” Nadjzinowicz said, “the defense has been great this year too as well, and I think the time playing with each other has helped significantly.”
They say defense wins championships, and this Lions team is proving it with their playstyle. Across the first eight games, no team has been able to score more than two goals on this squad. Much of the success can be attributed to the unsung heroes of this team, defenders Maceri and Aidan Grund.
“Not giving up goals is something that me and (the) team as a whole pride ourselves in. We are really together when we defend and we defend as a unit,” Grund responded.
After the Lions ended one undefeated streak, they attempted to end another on Sept. 30, against the No. 3 ranked Rowan Profs. While they were unable to end the streak, they still found a way to remain undefeated by posting a 1-1 tie against one of the best teams in the nation.
After the Profs Joey Kurak got one in the net in the 28th minute, sophomore Brennan Libo received a cross right in front of the net, kicked it right off the goalkeeper, then into the net to tie the score at one in the 39th minute. The goal was Libo’s first of his collegiate career.
From there, the brick wall that is the Lions defense was able to hold off Rowan, who has scored two or more goals in five of their eight games.
“We need to continue to play our game no matter who we play against. We just need to keep stacking good practices and good performances, so that Wednesday we give ourselves the best chance to win,” stated Nadjzinowicz before the game against the Profs.
While they didn’t get the win they were looking for, they proved to the nation that they are here and ready to compete against anyone on the pitch.
The Lions pack up their bags and head on the road to face Kean University on Oct. 3, and then head over to Montclair State to take on the Red Hawks on Oct. 7 in two key conference games that are pivotal if they want to climb the NJAC ranks.
