Rutgers Defeats Syracuse for Fifth-Straight Win
Oct 18 | Men's Soccer
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -The Rutgers men's soccer team (9-6, 6-5 BIG EAST) won a 3-1 decision over BIG EAST opponent Syracuse (6-8-1, 1-8-1 BIG EAST) to extend the RU's winning streak to five games. Bart Koffeman (The Hague, Netherlands), Adam Sternberger (Mays Landing, N.J.) and Nick LaBrocca (Howell, N.J.) provided the offense for the Scarlet Knights, while the defense made sure the two-goal lead held up.
With the win, Rutgers has won eight of its last nine matches, including six of seven against BIG EAST opponents. Rutgers' defense has allowed just five goals in those nine games, and has not allowed more than two goals in a single game since the team dropped a 2-0 decision at Providence back on Sept. 10.
The game was scoreless for the first 25 minutes of play before the Scarlet Knights scored two goals in 15 minutes to take the lead over Syracuse. Koffeman scored the match's first goal when he headed the ball into the net following a corner by Tomislav Barisic (Osijek, Croatia), whohad the assist on the goal. The goal was Koffeman's fourth of the season and he leads the team in goals. Sternberger scored the second goal of the half, also a header, in the 40th minute of play. Chris Moore (Gosforth, England) recorded the assist on the goal. Koffeman (5 g) and Moore (2 g, 10 a) now lead the team in points with 10. RU starting goalie Matt VanOekel (Chesapeake, Va.) went into halftime without having to make a single save due to RU's defense which held the Orange to just six shots.
After 20 minutes of play in the second half, Syracuse scored its first and only goal of the match when Pete Rowley netted his second goal of the season to cut RU's lead to one goal. The Scarlet Knights' offense quickly responded, however, when just over five minutes later, LaBrocca scored an unassisted goal to Rutgers a 3-1 lead.
LaBrocca led the Scarlet Knights with four shots, while Koffeman and Sternberger had three apiece. VanOakel, the reigning BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week, had to make just four saves, thanks to Rutgers' aggressive play on defense against the Orange. SU goalie Robert Cavicchia made six saves against Rutgers.
Head coach Bob Reasso knew his team deserved the win following the hard-fought battle against a tough Syracuse team.
"It was not an easy win," Reasso said. "Syracuse is a very talented team, especially in the front. At times they pressured us more than any other team this season. We had opportunities to go up 3-0 in the first half, but fortunately Nick (LaBrocca) scored in the second half to give us the 3-1 lead. Our guys knew how important this win was."
The Scarlet Knights will play their final regular-season game of the season when they host BIG EAST opponent Louisville on Saturday, Oct. 21, at 7:00 p.m.
Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2006 Rutgers Men's Soccer
Rutgers at Syracuse (Oct. 18 at Syracuse, N.Y.)
Rutgers (9-6, 6-4 BIG EAST) at Syracuse (6-8-1, 1-8-1 BIG EAST)
Date: Oct. 18, 2006 Attendance: 431
Goals by Period: 1 2 Tot
Rutgers 2 1 3
SU 0 1 1
Scoring Summary:
Shots: RU - 20, SU - 15.
Saves: RU - 4, SU - 6.
Time Team Goal Assist(s)25:52 RU Koffeman, Bart (4) Barisic, Tomislav
40:44 RU Moore, Chris (3) Sternberger, Adam
71:01 SU Rowley, Pete (2) Hawtin, Andrew
76:06 RU LaBrocca, Nick (2) unassisted
