NEWARK, N.J. | Franco Catania netted a hat trick in a 5-0 win over the Pioneers this afternoon at Frederick Douglass Field in a must-win New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game.

Rutgers University-Newark (6-9-1, 2-4-1) put their talents on display as they flashed their skill on the field and peppered William Paterson (6-7-3, 2-3-2) with 26(17) shots. 

Catania had a game-high eight shots with six on target while Miguel Sencion followed that with six shots and two on target. Andres Medina only had to make four saves in this contest which included a quick point-blank kick save to keep the Pioneers off of the board.

The Scarlet Raiders spent a majority of the game in the Pioneers' half of the field and hit every piece of the frame in the game this afternoon. After firing shot after shot the Scarlet Raiders would catch a break as Catania was fouled inside the box and awarded a penalty kick in the 30th minute.

Catania stepped to the spot with confidence and tucked the ball into the right side of the net for his first, and the game's first goal.

Rutgers University-Newark exploded for four goals in the second half which started in the 52nd minute. Catania doubled up his total when he broke loose along the left flank and powered his shot off of Thomas Hatch's hand and into the back of the net. Just four minutes later, Catania would complete the hat trick when Adonis Scotland sent a through ball which put Catania behind the Pioneers and on a breakaway. Catania slipped his shot under Hatch's outstretched leg to give his team a 3-0 lead. 

Scotland would score one of his own at the 67:57 minute mark when Joe Alba found him inside the 18-yard box where he was able to put it in the back of the net. With full momentum on their side, the offense kept the pressure on and found their fifth goal in the 74th minute. Scotland sent in a low hard cross to Anthony Oliveira, who was wide open in the box, where he tapped it into an open net. 

From there the Scarlet Raiders held possession and kept William Paterson from finding the back of the net. The win put the Scarlet Raiders back into the playoff chatter as they sit just two points out of the number six spot. 

Up next for the Scarlet Raiders is Kean University in another NJAC contest at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 26 in Union, NJ.