NEWARK, NJ | Under a clear sky at Frederick Douglass Field, Bryan Rodriguez was the difference-maker in tonight's New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game against New Jersey City University (NJCU). The Scarlet Raiders remained unbeaten in the NJAC with a 1-0 win over their rivals, boosting their record to 6-3-1, 2-0-1 while the Gothic Knights fell to 7-2-1, 0-2-0.

The Scarlet Raiders benefitted from a strong attack this evening, firing off 19 shots with 9 on frame while holding NJCU to 10 shots with just five on target. Rutgers-Newark also held an 8-2 edge in corner kicks.

The lone goal of the game came early on when a corner kick was punched by former netminder, Nick Linebaugh, to the feet of Rodriguez. Within the scramble to clear the ball, Rodriguez was able to backheel it into the net to put his team up early. 

NJCU nearly knotted the game up in the 13th minute, however, Joe Alba did his best Andres Medina impression and cleared what would have been a sure goal with his head off of the line and away from harm. The Scarlet Raiders kept the tempo up but were unable to find the back of the net once again as any attempt was parried away by Linebaugh. 

Catania nearly doubled the Scarlet Raiders' lead late in the second half when his point-blank header attempt was denied by Linebaugh. NJCU made one last late push but Rutgers-Newark was ready to withstand the wave after wave of attacks as they'd hold onto the 1-0 win.

The Scarlet Raiders return to action on Saturday, October 2 when they host Ramapo College at 7:30 pm.