The match against St. John’s was the start of a three-game road trip across a seven day span for the Scarlet Knights who will continue with BIG EAST opponent DePaul on Saturday (Oct. 10) followed by a matchup at Brown on Tuesday (Oct. 13).

 

“[The weather created] really tough conditions to play in,” said head coach Bob Reasso. “The wind was absolutely howling and combine that with their really bouncy turf and it made for really challenging conditions. St. John’s is very good at putting the ball in behind you and pressuring you and that’s what they did all night.”

 

Although Rutgers was only slightly edged in first half shot opportunities (St. John’s 5, Rutgers 4), the Red Storm were able to deliver a goal to put them ahead. St. John’s got out to a 1-0 lead in the first half, scoring in the 19th minute when Joel Gustafsson and Sverr Wegge Gundhus combined on a pass to Kyle Hoffer off a corner kick.

 

The Scarlet Knights continued to search for the equalizer in the second half, managing a shot on goal following halftime, however, a penalty kick in the 56th minute proved costly. St. John’s was awarded a PK and Tadeu Terra found pay dirt, successfully converting the free kick to earn the 2-0 victory.

 

“The penalty kick really killed the game in essence,” said Reasso. “Down one goal, you’re chasing [the game], down two goals and you really chase the game. Credit St. John’s, they were the better team on the night and now we have to regroup. We’ve lost three straight games and we haven’t scored in three straight games. We have another BIG EAST game Saturday [against DePaul] so we have to get back to work tomorrow and get ready to go.”

 

Rutgers will look to snap its three-match skid and secure points in the BIG EAST standings when it returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 10, in Chicago, Ill. at DePaul 1/2 p.m. CT/EST. The Scarlet Knights are 2-1-1 all-time against the Blue Demons with the two teams playing to a scoreless tie in the most recent meeting in 2008.