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MSU vs Rutgers-Newark Game Program

NEWARK, N.J. (November 1, 2017) – The second-seeded Rutgers University-Newark men's soccer team will play for its first-ever New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title Saturday night at Rowan University. The nationally-ranked Scarlet Raiders topped Montclair State University by a score of 2-1 Wednesday night on Alumni Field in front of an electric capacity crowd.
 
Rutgers-Newark fell behind in the 34th minute, tied things 1-1 exactly three minutes later and eventually netted the game-winner at 72:42.
 
The Scarlet Raiders move to 19-2-0 overall, while the third-seeded Red Hawks fall to 13-7-1. Rowan – the tournament's top seed – advanced to Saturday's final with a double overtime triumph over fifth-seeded Stockton University.
 
The Scarlet Raiders notched the game-winner with 17:18 remaining in regulation when sophomore Fabio De Sousa – who was named the NJAC Offensive Player of the Year early Wednesday – scored his 18th goal of the season thanks to a precision pass from junior Breno Lustosa. Lustosa sprung De Sousa free with a perfect through-ball into the left side of the box, hitting his teammate in stride. De Sousa controlled, kept his advantage and calmly stuck his shot far side. Lustosa was credited with his fourth assist on the play, and De Sousa tallied his ninth game-winning goal. The sophomore came into Wednesday's game second nationally in that statistical category.
 
"It was a difficult game against a strong Montclair State team," said Head Coach Kevin East after the win. "We created a lot scoring chances and were unlucky in not getting a couple more, but we will work on that as we begin to prepare for Saturday."
 
After the Newark goal, Montclair State generated two corners and one shot, but the Rutgers-Newark defense played solidly as it has all season to bring home the win much to the delight of the Alumni Field crowd.
 
The Scarlet Raiders ended the match with a 25-10 margin in shots, a 13-3 edge in shots on goal and a 6-4 margin in corners. Rutgers also held a sizable edge in field position and possession.
 
R-N had four strong chances in the first 20 minutes, but MSU goalkeeper Mike Saalfrank made several denials, and the Scarlet Raiders just missed on two others. The best chance came via a cross from senior Hubert Dul as the veteran found the foot of junior Stefano Muniz who flicked a shot on target, but Saalfrank was able to make a one-handed denial.
 
Later in the first, MSU nearly scored on a free kick from the top of the box, but freshman Chaz Burnett's header deflected just wide, keeping the game scoreless.
 
The Red Hawks struck at 33:09 when senior midfielder Mike Taranto headed in a rebound. On the play, Burnett took a rip from 35-yards out that was saved by sophomore goalkeeper Andres Medina. Unfortunately, the rebound caromed to Taranto who was streaking in for his 13th tally.
 
The Scarlet Raiders wasted little time in an answering, finding the back of the net at 36:09, exactly three minutes after the MSU tally. Senior back Arek Szoldrowski stepped up to a free kick, serving a nice ball into the left side of the box. The ball found Dul who touched to a cutting Isaiah Kuris who tapped it home for the goal. The marker was the third of the season for Kuris and assists went to both Dul and Szoldrowski on the play.
 
Rutgers-Newark ended the first half with a 13-8 margin in shots and took the first 10 attempts of the second half, but the game remained tied at one until De Sousa's winner at 72:42.
 
"I was proud of the response from the boys after going down a goal," added East. "They worked really hard tonight and deserved the result. We are looking forward to Saturday night."
 
Medina earned his 19th win in goal for the hosts, making two saves. Saalfrank suffered the defeat for MSU, stopping 11 Scarlet Raider attempts.
 
Rutgers-Newark and Rowan played at Rowan earlier this season in an overtime classic with the Profs pulling out a 1-0 win. Rowan is currently ranked 10th by D3soccer.com and sixth by the United Soccer Coaches. The Scarlet Raiders are No. 12 in the D3soccer.com ledger and No. 14 according to the USC.
 
Game time Saturday is slated for 7 p.m. and Scarlet Raider fans can expect a full preview of the action early Friday afternoon at www.RutgersNewarkAthletics.com.