UNION, N.J. | In a must-win game, the men's soccer team played to a 2-2 draw against Kean University this afternoon which knocked the Scarlet Raiders out of New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) playoff contention. 

Rutgers University-Newark (6-9-2, 2-4-2) got a brace from Franco Catania to salvage the draw in the 88th minute. Kean University (9-5-3, 3-2-3) moved up to fifth in the standings with the draw.

Catania put the Scarlet Raiders on the board first when he found himself in the right spot at the right time as he was able to push the ball into the back of the net after Dillion Konzelmann parried Catania's first attempt. 

Andres Medina made a save with two minutes remaining in the first half to keep the Cougars out of the scoring column headed into the half.

The Cougars brought the game level in the 76th minute when Justin Homer rose above the Scarlet Raiders and headed one into the left side of the goal. Just one minute later Kean University found themselves with a 2-1 lead as Max Acosta hit a shot that bounced off of Medina's hands and into the back of the net. 

With an NJAC playoff spot on the line, the Scarlet Raiders brought numbers forward to try to tie the game and send it into extra time, a feat they were able to accomplish. Catania brought his season tally to 9 after scoring his second of the game and seventh in three games.

In extra time, the Scarlet Raiders were unable to find the elusive game-winner they were searching for as they saw their three attempts go wide of the net.

The Scarlet Raiders return to action on Wednesday, October 30 when they host New Jersey City University for senior night at Frederick Douglass Field at 7:30 pm.