NEWARK, NJ | The Scarlet Raiders men's soccer program took on The College of New Jersey this evening in their first New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) of the season. After 110 minutes of action, the teams were unable to separate themselves as they played to a 2-2 draw at Frederick Douglass Field. The Scarlet Raiders move to 3-3-1, 0-0-1 NJAC on the year while TCNJ is now 2-4-1, 0-0-1 NJAC.
The College of New Jersey was first to find the back of the net in tonight's NJAC contest. A defensive blunder by the Scarlet Raiders' defensive unit allowed Nicholas Franco to intercept an errant pass. Franco made the most of his opportunity and tucked his shot underneath an outstretched Medina to put the Lions up 1-0.
Rutgers-Newark upped their offensive output and continued to create chances for their team. Late into the first half, TCNJ nearly doubled their total, however, Medina denied Dario Carraha's breakaway attempt to keep TCNJ with just one tally on the board. Mathis Quesada almost knotted the game up in the first half but saw his chance go wide of the net.
The Scarlet Raiders trailed 1-0 at the half, but wouldn't have to wait long to see one of their attempts go into the net. 9 minutes into the second half, the Scarlet Raiders' leading goal scorer, Franco Catania broke through the defense on a through ball from Miguel Sencion and increased his goal tally to seven on the year. Catania's day wasn't over just yet, however, as he'd go on to score yet another, this time in the 88th minute. Joe Alba stepped over the ball after winning a free-kick and curled a high ball in that slipped through the goalie's hands and right onto the foot of Catania for an easy tap-in.
The Lions, however, wouldn't surrender that easily. Aidan Grigorian positioned himself in a crowded area while Sebastian Hernandez sprinted down the left flank. Hernandez hit a hard low cross into the box and found Grigorian who redirected it into the goal to knot the game up at two and send it into extra time.
Both teams had their chances in extra time but were unable to convert any opportunities as the game ended in a 2-2 draw earning each team one point.
The Scarlet Raiders return to action on Wednesday, September 22 when they host Centenary University at 7:30 pm.
