TCNJ’s Obst thankful for fifth year

When her senior season was cancelled by the pandemic, Julia Obst looked back on her years at The College of New Jersey and she didn’t feel satisfied.

So, it begged the question, to take a fifth year or not?

“Soccer means a lot to me,’’ said Obst. “I never started that much or even played that much and I didn’t want Covid to take away my last opportunity to be able to prove myself, and I couldn’t be happier I made this decision.’’

The entire TCNJ staff and players are glad the former Hopewell Valley star came back for one more run with the Lions.

Obst and goalie Alex Panasuk were the only 2020 seniors that opted for a fifth season. Oh, what a fifth year it has been. Obst has earned several honors and Panasuk was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year.

The Lions are 20-0-2 and headed to Greensboro, North Carolina for the NCAA Division III Final Four. This will be the second appearance for Obst and Panasuk in the Final Four as they were freshmen on the 2017 team that lost in the national semifinals.

This is TCNJ’s 13th visit to the Final Four.

It will be looking for its fourth national title and it’s also the last hurrah for 32-year coach Joe Russo.

“I am so excited and so proud of us,’’ Obst said of what the Lions have accomplished. “I haven’t been able to stop smiling this past week. We have wanted this from the beginning of the season and we have made it here. I can’t even put my emotions into words.’’

There is one word that does sum it all up for Obst, a Public Health major, and that’s gratitude.

“I’m not thankful my senior season got taken away but so thankful I got the opportunity to play with this group of girls and this team,’’ said Obst. “Very grateful for what I have and when I lost that year it has made me appreciate this year so much more. I even like the sprints we have to do.’’

Once the decision was made, Obst worked harder than she ever had in the offseason to make this her greatest season ever.

“She has had an outstanding year,’’ Russo said of Obst. “She’s been a different player all year for us and she has been fantastic. I’m so happy for her.’’

Obst has four goals and four assists on the season. After starting just 10 games in her first three seasons, the Hopewell Valley girl has started all 22 this season.

Obst is an All-NJAC first-team performer and half of those assists have come in the postseason, including one in a first-round rout of Westfield State and another on Nikki Butler’s goal against Scranton that pulled TCNJ into a tie after falling behind midway through the first half.

She was also an All-Region first team selection.

Now, it’s down to the two final games of her career and there’s a little extra motivation to send Russo off with another ring.

“We want to finish this ride off on the right note,’’ said Obst. “When he told us everyone was so still and it was really sad, but also it is making us want to win that much more. We want to win for him and mostly we want to win for each other. We are all onboard and passionate about wanting to win.’’

Obst moved to the wing this season and it has been like the position was made for her.

“I used to be a front runner and then at the beginning of the season coach put me out wide,’’ said Obst. “Stats don’t matter to us and we are a team and whatever you contribute is appreciated. Obviously. I’m enjoying this season more because I am able to contribute.’’

Obst made the right decision for herself and for her team, and now she is two wins away from satisfaction — in more ways than one.