TCNJ

13 FALL/WINTER 2026 HOW I GOT HERE CHRISTOPHER MEDER '27 > My time at TCNJ has gone by superfast. I am excited for my last run at soccer. I want to make the most out of this season. > I'm a forward. My main job is to create chances, meaning scoring goals or providing assists. And if our team doesn't have the ball, my job is to be the first line of defense against the other team. > I love taking defenders on, one on one, toward the goal. That's the exciting part of soccer. > The TCNJ team is really close- knit. Our coach, Steve DeMatteo, has emphasized the importance of a good culture. Hard work and talent can take you far, but having a team that enjoys being around each other can give you the extra push you need. > He also has high standards. They're really tough, but they push us to be better in the end. > We're constantly training at a super- high level. That kind of preparation helps make the big-time moments in games feel a little less intense. > The NJAC is such a strong conf- erence. That was why I wanted to play for TCNJ. > The semifinal game in the NJAC championships last year was the best game that I've played at TCNJ so far. I had four goals that game. We beat Montclair State, and they were ranked No. 22 in the country. We went on to play Rowan University in the conference final after that. > My dad played soccer at Rowan. We play them every year, so he and I have made a little rivalry of it. He's definitely proud of having played there, but I think he roots for TCNJ now. > Having been a soccer player will definitely help me in the business world. Financial advisors have a team that they work with to help clients in various ways. > I want to be in a client-facing role and be involved in wealth management. I have some experience in that through a summer internship I had at Fidelity Investments. > I'm graduating in December. I want to make sure I am balancing academics and athletics and that I am being present and in the moment. And just giving it my absolute best. — As told to Kara Pothier "I love taking defenders on, one on one, toward the goal." Christopher Meder '27 As a captain of the men's soccer team, this finance major just keeps moving forward. PETER MURPHY, KATHRYN RATHKE Playing the long game TCNJ's two longest-tenured coaches have hit major milestones. Head field hockey and women's lacrosse coach Sharon Pfluger '82 (left) celebrated 40 years at the college, while Sally Miller marked 30 years as head softball coach. Pfluger has 19 national championships (10 in lacrosse and 9 in field hockey). Miller has more than 700 wins and led the program to the 1996 NCAA championship.

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