WESTMINSTER, Md. – The Rutgers-Newark men's soccer team is heading back to the ECAC Championship game for the third consecutive season after earning a thrilling penalty-kick victory over McDaniel College on Sunday afternoon. After battling to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes, the Scarlet Raiders prevailed, 5-4, in the shootout to punch their ticket to the championship game.
McDaniel struck first in the 27th minute, taking a 1-0 advantage into halftime. Rutgers-Newark continued to apply pressure throughout the second half, outshooting the Green Terror and creating several opportunities to find the equalizer.
The Scarlet Raiders' persistence finally paid off in the 85th minute. Erick Cortes found the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season, finishing a feed from Noah Russon to bring Rutgers-Newark level at 1-1.
Neither side could find a go-ahead goal through the remainder of regulation or the two overtime periods, sending the semifinal contest to a penalty-kick shootout.
Rutgers-Newark delivered under pressure, converting all five of its attempts. Ali Celik, Cortes, Daniel Velazquez, Ian Brown and Tristan Bastos each found the back of the net, while Ilan Golden and the Scarlet Raiders defense held McDaniel to four successful attempts to secure the 5-4 shootout victory.
Golden provided a strong effort in goal after entering at halftime, making four saves across 65 minutes of action. David Bejarano started the contest, playing the opening 45 minutes.
Rutgers-Newark finished with a commanding 22-8 advantage in shots, including a 7-5 edge in shots on goal. Cortes led the Scarlet Raiders with four shots, putting three on target.
With the victory, Rutgers-Newark will now turn its attention to the ECAC Championship, where it will face Juniata on Saturday, November 21. The matchup marks the third consecutive season the Scarlet Raiders and Eagles will meet for the conference title. Rutgers-Newark will look to reverse the outcome of the previous two meetings and capture its first ECAC Championship since 2022.
For the latest news, updates, and information on Rutgers-Newark Athletics, follow the Scarlet Raiders on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
