Rutgers has three conference matches remaining on the regular season schedule – including a pair of nationally-ranked opponents (Louisville and USF). RU will host two of the final three contests.

 

“Now that we have gotten through our last non-conference game, we can just focus on the BIG EAST which is paramount right now,” said head coach Bob Reasso. “I think we’re in a good position, there are only four points separating us from the top spot. It’s very tightly packed and anything can happen. Every year, the last couple weeks of BIG EAST play is always very exciting because the twist and turns that happen down the stretch are interesting, captivating and worrying.

 

“We’re going to just try and stay focused on each game as they come and the first one is Louisville.”

 

The Scarlet Knights (7-7-0, 4-4-0 BIG EAST) took on NJIT, winning the match 2-1 this past Wednesday. The Highlanders put a scare into the Scarlet Knights early in the first half, taking a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 20th minute.  However, Rutgers received a boost from a pair of sophomores in Sam Archer (Queens, N.Y.) and Ibrahim Kamara (North Brunswick, N.J.). Archer provided the equalizer, while Kamara tacked on the game-winner, defeating NJIT. Rutgers outshot NJIT 19-11 for the afternoon, putting a total of seven shots on goal.

 

Rutgers is led in scoring by Kamara and junior Yannick Salmon (Westbury, N.Y.) who each have six goals and thirteen points on the season. The pair also has one assist apeice. Rutgers sophomore Bryant Knibbs (Pine Bush, N.Y.) has the team-lead with four assists, followed by sophomores David MacVane (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) and Nye Winslow (Piscataway, N.J.) with two each. 

 

In goal for the Scarlet Knights is sophomore Alex Morgans (Jackson, N.J.) who has started the past five matches, posted back-to-back wins (2-3-0) and has one shutout on the year.

 

“Louisville is a very good team,” said Reasso. “They have not lost at home all year. They’re very well organized and a powerful team up front and on set pieces. They usually sit a counter even though this team, we’re hearing presses a little bit more so we’ll have to be prepared for both scenarios.

 

“They came to [Yurcak] last year, they were nationally ranked and we beat them. So I think our guys have the confidence that even though on paper we may look like a bit of an underdog, we can still go there and beat them and that’s what really counts.”

 

In their previous match, Louisville hosted non-conference opponent No. 25 Indiana. The Cardinals defeated the Hoosiers 4-0 last Wednesday night recording their 10th shutout of the season.  Two of the goals for the Cardinals came from Colin Rolfe.  Freddie Braun and Mark Knight also contributed to the win each scoring a goal. 

 

Rolfe leads the Cardinals in scoring with 17 points on eight goals and one assist.  Knight is right behind him with 17 points on six goals and five assists, while Braun is in a close third with 14 points on six goals and two assists.