JERSEY CITY, NJ – Sophomore midfielder Michael Kwiecinski tallied the first two goals of the match as Rutgers-Newark erupted for a 3-0 New Jersey Athletic Conference win over New Jersey City at the Thomas Gerrity Athletic Complex. 

BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Kwiecinski stole a clearing pass from the Gothic Knights in the box and punched a shot into the left side to break 483-minute, 54-second scoring drought in NJAC play this season by the Raiders. Rutgers-Newark got off to a 0-4-1 start in conference play because of the bizarre scoreless streak. 

He added another score just 11 minutes later, volleying a ball past a defender to get an open shot in the box. A penalty kick goal by junior forward Richie Villamar sent the Scarlet Raiders (7-5-1, NJAC 1-4-1) into the half with a 3-0 edge. 

Senior goalkeeper Matt Zielyk needed to make just one first-half save as the Raiders piled up an 8-3 advantage in shots. He made the early edge hold up to run his career record between the pipes to 21-6-4 which includes a 4-1-0 record this season. He finished with six saves to post his Rutgers-Newark record 14th career shutout as NJCU pulled the trigger 15 times in the final period without success. 

New Jersey City (5-8-0, NJAC 1-5-0) out-shot the Raiders, 18-12, and had a 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. 

Rutgers-Newark hosts Medgar Evers on Alumni Field on Monday at 7 p.m. in a non-conference match.