JERSEY CITY, NJ | The Rutgers University-Newark women's soccer took on New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rivals, NJCU, today and played out to a 1-1 draw. This the first time these two teams have played to a draw in their history. The Scarlet Raiders were recently ranked 8th in the region after a historic start to their season, starting 6-2. The draw moves the Scarlet Raiders to 6-2-1, 0-2-1 while NJCU moves to 2-4-3, 0-2-1.
The Scarlet Raiders took 21 shots in today's extra time affair with 12 going on frame. Rutgers-Newark also held a substantial 6-1 edge in corners and were called for 24 fouls. Gillian Reese and Katie McLaughlin split a shift between the pipes for the Scarlet Raiders with Reese leading the way with four saves.
In a game full of whistles it was a pair of penalties that created the draw. First on the board was the Scarlet Raiders when Tamia Howell was taken out in the box and awarded a penalty. Ana Silveira stepped up confidently and placed the ball into the left side net to give her team a 1-0 lead. The Scarlet Raiders kept the tempo up and kept testing the Gothic Knights' defensive unit throughout the half. With just seconds remaining in the first half, NJCU was awarded a penalty kick which they would convert to even the game at one.
In the second half, the Scarlet Raiders put 9 shots towards goal with five finding their mark, however, they were parried away. Rutgers-Newark did well to limit NJCU's opportunities and they almost paid dividends in extra time. With NJCU on their heels, the Scarlet Raiders seemingly found the back of the net but were whistled for offsides which nullified the goal.
In extra time neither team was able to successfully find the back of the net which led to the first draw in program history between these two teams.
The Scarlet Raiders will search for their first NJAC win of the season on Saturday, October 2 when they travel to Mahwah, NJ to take on Ramapo College at 3:00 pm.
