NCAA Bracket | NCAA Selection Video | R-N Stats | R-N Schedule | NCAA Tournament Announcement

NEWARK, N.J. (November 9, 2016) – For the third time in program history, the Rutgers University-Newark men's soccer program is in the NCAA Tournament, and for the first time ever, the Scarlet Raiders are hosting games on Newark soil.
 
On Saturday and Sunday, Rutgers-Newark will host the first and the second round of the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship on Alumni Field. R-N will face New England College in the first game at 5 p.m., with Vassar College battling Elizabethtown College at 7:30 p.m. The two winning teams square off Sunday at 5 p.m. for a chance to play in the "Sweet 16."
 
In the Polls: Rutgers-Newark is ranked 10th in the nation according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), while D3soccer.com has the Raiders at No. 14 in the poll.
 
High-Water Marks: R-N brings a record of 18-3-0 into the NCAA Tournament, and the 18 wins are already a program-record. The team's 11 shutouts are also the most in program history, while their NSCAA ranking of No. 4 last week was the highest R-N has ever climbed in the eyes of that association.
 
Major Award Winners! Head Coach Kevin East was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Coach of the Year last Tuesday, while freshman Fabio De Sousa was named the NJAC Rookie of the Year. Senior Dylan Elias received the David Logar Leader Award which is presented annually to the player who best displays the attributes of leadership and courage. 
 
All-Conference: Rutgers-Newark placed seven on the all-conference teams. De Sousa and junior back Arek Szoldrowski were both first-teamers, with Elias, sophomore Breno Lustosa and freshman goalkeeper Andres Medina being named second-team All-NJAC. Junior Carlos Castro and junior back Isaiah Kuris were honorable mention all-conference.

Click here for the All-NJAC release from November 1
 
Brick City: Rutgers-Newark is hosting an NCAA Tournament game on Newark soil for the second time in department history. In April of 2015, Scarlet Raider men's volleyball won an NCAA Tournament match over Endicott College. Alumni Field is playing host to the national tournament for the first time.
 
Streaking: The Scarlet Raiders have had two major streaks this year. The team won 12-straight matches to close the regular season, and they also had a 684 minute run in which the defense allowed no goals.
 
Statistically Speaking…Team: Rutgers-Newark is No. 6 nationally in save percentage (.876), 16th in winning percentage (.857) and 18th in team goals-against average (.67). The team cracks the top-30 in total points (27th; 145), total goals (28th, 53) and shutout percentage (28th, .52). The Scarlet Raiders led the NJAC in save percentage, shutout percentage and goals-against average.
 
Statistically Speaking…Individual: De Sousa is second in the country with eight game-winning goals, and his 34 points have him at No. 35. He is just outside the top-50 in total goals (13) and total assists (eight). Medina is No. 11 in save percentage at .863, and he is No. 39 in goals-against average (.762).
 
Balance! An amazing 14 different players have scored goals this year, with 10 scoring more than once, and 19 different players have at least one point.
 
The Game-Winners: Behind De Sousa's eight game-winners, eight other players have at least one, with Kuris and senior Sebastian Gostynski pocketing two apiece.
 
Admission to the NCAA Tournament is $6 for adults, $3 for students and seniors with ID and $2 for children.

Rutgers-Newark will be paying for any R-N students, faculty and staff with a valid Rutgers-Newark ID card.
 
Those unable to make the trip to Newark for the games can tune in to live video or live stats. 
 
Fans should check www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com Thursday night for a complete preview of Saturday's first round game against New England College, and should follow @ScarletRaiders on twitter and Instagram.