Bracket | Championship Info

Live Stats | Audio

NEWARK, N.J. (October 30, 2015) – Sixth-seeded Rutgers University-Newark will visit third-seeded Rutgers University-Camden in the first round of the 2015 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Men's Soccer Championship Tournament Saturday. Opening touch is slated for 1 p.m. at Rutgers Community Park in Camden.
 
Third-seeded Rutgers-Camden went 6-3-0 in the conference to earn a home match in the first round, with the Scarlet Raiders going 4-4-1 in what was one tightest conference seasons Head Men's Soccer Coach Kevin East can remember.
 
"The NJAC has been the most competitive I have seen it in a long time," said East – an 18-year veteran of the conference. "I believe any of the six teams involved in the playoffs have a legitimate shot at winning the championship. It should be an exciting tournament and we are looking forward to it."
 
The other first round matchup will be between fifth-seeded Kean University and fourth-seeded Rowan University. The winner of that match will head to No. 1 seed Montclair State University on November 4, with the winner of the R-N – R-C battle heading to second-seeded Stockton University for the semifinals. The NJAC title game will be played on November 7 at the highest remaining seed for the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Montclair St. won the 2014 title, and Rutgers-Camden won the three prior. Kean took the tournament in 2010.
 
Rutgers-Newark and Rutgers-Camden met on October 24 in Newark on Alumni Field, and the Scarlet Raptors left with a 2-0 win despite being outshot 15-8 and out-cornered 8-3. R-N also held distinct advantages in field position and possession but struggled to finish.
 
The Scarlet Raiders have outscored the opposition 39-28 this season, placing 49 more shots on goal and finishing the regular season plus-27 in corners.
 
Sixteen different players scored goals for R-N, led by six from sophomore Chigozie Atubi and five each from junior Anthony DeRisi and Charlie O'Connell. Junior Sebastian Gostynski had four, also handing out a team-high seven assists and tying Atubi for the team-lead in points with 15. Freshman Damjan Agaj and junior Dylan Elias had six and five assists, respectively, as five players (Atubi, DeRisi, O'Connell, Gostynski and Agaj) have eclipsed double-digit point totals.
 
Senior goalkeeper Matt Broomall has played 18 matches in goal, totaling 70 saves, and taking away tough losses as MSU and Rowan, the Scarlet Raider keeper has allowed just 12 goals in 16 matches. Broomall, senior Paul Tarnawski, freshman Brandon Goldy and sophomore Isaiah Kuris have paced the Raider defense, while sophomore Arek Szoldrowski and junior Adrian Mayorga have been solid in the midfield all year.

R-N Stats | R-N Schedule/Results
 
Camden is plus-20 in goal differential this season (41-21) and is led by senior Mike Ryan who has 18 goals and three assists for an NJAC-best 39 points. Senior Connor Hurff (22 points) is the only other Scarlet Raptor that has double-digit points, scoring six goals and handing out 10 assists. Senior keeper James Brett has 85 saves in 19 appearances, tallying four shutouts and earning 11 wins. The Scarlet Raptors will bring a modest two-match winning streak into the conference tournament.

R-C Stats | R-C Schedule/Results
 
Tickets for Saturday's match at Camden are $5 for adults and $2 for children and fans unable to make the trip can follow live via audio and live stats at www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com.