EWING, N.J. -The third-seeded TCNJ men's soccer team was back home to host sixth-seeded Ramapo in the opening round of the NJAC Tournament Saturday night, using a first-half score from Chris Meder and another strong defensive effort to top the Roadrunners, 1-0, and punch their ticket to the conference semifinals for the second consecutive season.
 
The Lions (9-0-9) wasted no time getting on the board in their second meeting with the Roadrunners in seven days, using a rapid counter to turn a defensive stand into the game's first goal in the 11th minute. Starting the attack from their own 18, it was Tye Maser finding Matt Will down the right sideline. The sophomore carried the ball into space and sent a through ball of his own to a streaking Chris Meder, who beat his defender inside before using his weak foot to beat Ramapo's Zachary Natt and put TCNJ up 1-0.
 
The visitors nearly beat the buzzer after a free kick allowed the Roadrunners (8-7-3) to put a dangerous ball into the area, but there to collect the ball and preserve the halftime-lead was Sean Najdzinowicz.
 
The Lions came out the aggressor in the second half, racking up four corners in the opening five minutes, but none tested Natt. Instead it was Ramapo generating the first real chance of the second, but up to the test was Najdzinowicz, who denied a pair of attempts headed for goal by Gianfranco Ponce.
 
Desperation grew for the Roadrunners as time ticked on resulting in a 4-1 edge in shots over the final 20 minutes – Ramapo put two more on frame. Standing tall, however, was Najdzinowicz and his backline, with the final whistle earning TCNJ the 1-0 win and a spot in the NJAC Semifinals.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Roadrunners held the edge in both shots (10-7) and shots on goal (5-3).
• TCNJ took seven corners to Ramapo's four.
• Four of Najdzinowicz's five saves came in the second half.
• Meder, Matias Hornos and Aidan Ayar were the only Lions to register a shot on goal.

NOTES

• Meder's goal is the 25th of his career, moving him into a tie for 12th on TCNJ's all-time list.
• The shutout is the 11th of Najdzinowicz's career, giving the sophomore sole possession of fifth-most in program history.

UP NEXT

• The Lions will face off against second-seeded Rowan in the NJAC Semifinals Tuesday, Nov. 3. Kickoff for the rematch of last season's title game is scheduled for 6 p.m.