TCNJ hoping to give Russo career win No. 500

Even before she got to The College of New Jersey, Julia Obst knew that Joe Russo stood for good things.

The Hopewell Valley Central High graduate is a freshman on TCNJ’s No. 2 nationally ranked women’s soccer team, which Russo has coached for all 28 seasons if the program’s existence. Living in such close proximity, word easily traveled up Route 31 to Pennington about his achievements.

“I committed right before my junior year,” Obst said. “I know a bunch of people that know him. They all said good things about him. He’s just a great person. I’ve only heard great things about him. It’s great to play for him.”

On Friday night, she and the Lions (170) host Montclair State in the New Jersey Athletic Conference championship game. Not only is TCNJ looking for the conference title that escaped them last year (when they lost the finals to Rowan in penalty kicks), but it is also playing for Russo’s 500th career victory.

“Really? I didn’t know it was that soon,” Obst said when told of the potential for a memorable evening. “That would be amazing. That’s super-exciting if we could do that. We all like him. He’s one of the favorite coaches I’ve had and I’m excited for the next three years, too.”

Russo came to then-Trenton State’s fledgling program in 1990 and, in one of the most remarkable statistics in college athletics at any level, has guided the Lions to NCAA Division III appearances in all 28 years (they will get an at-large bid regardless of Friday’s outcome).

The Ewing High grad, who played at West Virginia’s Alderson Broaddus College with former Steinert standout Harold Fink, is the all-time leader in NCAA victories with 59. The Lions won national championships in 1993, 1994 and 2000. Russo’s record of 499-62-40 computes to an .835 winning percentage, and TCNJ has won 16 of the 22 NJAC championships since women’s soccer became a conference sport.

Aside from the ability to recruit some of Jersey’s top talent, what’s’ Russo’s secret?

One has been strong assistants. Bob Turner is in his 25th year at Russo’s side, while Paul Blodgett is in his 12th season as goalkeeper’s coach. Noelle Picone, Katie Lindacher and Brianna Petro round out this year’s staff.

Apparently, Turner and Russo have developed that chemistry of balance on the sideline.

“Coach Russo is a really calm coach,” Obst said. “Coach (Turner) kind of offsets that. He’s more direct, he tells us how it is, tells us to step it up. He yells at us, gets us excited and prepares for the game at halftime. Coach Russo is kind of, more quiet. He calms us down and tells us we can do better if we’re not doing well.

“I like his personality. He’s a great person, a great coach. He’s been coaching for so long, too. That says something.”

And while getting No. 500 for the coach would be nice, that will come in time regardless. The immediate concern is to win the NJAC against a Red Hawks team (10-4-5) that upset Rowan in the semifinals while TCNJ was beating Stockton.

“I can just tell during the practices, the pre-practices and the games that these seniors and upperclassmen are just so excited to play on Friday,” Obst said. “Their excitement (is contagious). I’m so excited even though I wasn’t here last year. This is what we talked about all season, is NJAC. We write NJAC on our hand every day before the game. This is what we’ve been waiting for. We’re ready to win.”

If the Lions hit a lull, don’t be surprised to see the freshman forward enter the game to try and pick things up. Obst has three goals and an assist this year, and has played anywhere from 6 to 69 minutes in a game. She has averaged 27 minutes in 13 matches, and notes that playing time is based on practice effort in Russo’s eyes.

“My role is, when I go in I’m kind of a spark and I bring energy when I play for that short amount of time,” Obst said. “Coach really applies how we do in practices and how hard we work and puts that into consideration with who plays and how much time you play. It’s a totally different lineup every single game.

“I’ve learned every single second you put into soccer really matters. He sees everything and he puts everything into preparation so you have to work hard 247. There’s just so much competition. When I first came and saw how these girls play, I’m like ‘How am I on this team?’”

Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores and visit www. trentonian.com/college_sports for more soccer coverage.