NEWARK, N.J. — On a night dedicated to the memory of former Scarlet Raider Adrian Velazquez, the Rutgers University-Newark men's soccer team battled Manhattanville University to a 0-0 draw Wednesday night at Frederick Douglass Field. The annual Adrian Velazquez Memorial Game brought the Rutgers-Newark community together to honor the former Scarlet Raider, while the current team continued its unbeaten start to the 2026 season.
Rutgers-Newark moved to 3-0-2 on the season, while Manhattanville also remained unbeaten at 3-0-3.
The Scarlet Raiders controlled much of the offensive pressure, finishing with a 15-5 advantage in shots and a 7-1 edge in corner kicks. Manhattanville goalkeeper Jesse James de Ruiter made one save, while Rutgers-Newark goalkeeper David Bejarano recorded two saves to preserve the shutout.
Rutgers-Newark generated several opportunities throughout the opening half. Zahra-Deen Amadou tested de Ruiter in the 20th minute, forcing the Manhattanville goalkeeper to make a save, before Amadou put another attempt wide of the goal moments later.
The Scarlet Raiders continued to threaten late in the first half. Bryan Valdes nearly broke the deadlock in the 44th minute, sending a shot off the crossbar as the two teams entered halftime scoreless.
Manhattanville created a few opportunities early in the second half, but Bejarano was there to turn away a shot from Marco Palushaj in the 57th minute.
Rutgers-Newark responded with increased pressure. Aaron Ocana recorded back-to-back shots in the 64th minute, while Amadou nearly found the breakthrough moments later when his attempt struck the crossbar in the 66th minute. Samuel De Souza also tested the Manhattanville defense with a pair of second-half attempts as the Scarlet Raiders continued to search for the game's opening goal.
Neither team could find the decisive finish, however, as the match remained scoreless through the final whistle.
Amadou led Rutgers-Newark with four shots, including one on goal, while Ian Brown added three attempts. De Souza finished with two shots, and Ocana also recorded two.
Bejarano played all 90 minutes in goal, making two saves to earn his second shutout of the season.
Rutgers-Newark returns to action this weekend as they host Shenandoah September 19th at Frederick Douglass Field.
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