Rutgers Blanks South Florida 1-0
Sep 30 | Men's Soccer
TAMPA, Fl. - The Rutgers men's soccer team (5-6, 2-4 BIG EAST) shut-out BIG EAST opponent No. 16/11 South Florida (5-4-2, 3-2-2 BIG EAST) 1-0 in front of a large crowd that included many RU alumni. Michael Crowley (Newark, De.) scored the lone goal for the Scarlet Knights, his first of the season, to give Rutgers an important divisional win over the Bulls.
On a night when many Rutgers' alumni stayed in South Florida to cheer on their men's soccer team after Friday night's RU-USF football game, Rutgers was able to jump out to an early 1-0 lead. Crowley fired a pass from Kevin O'Connor (Freehold, N.J.) into the lower left corner of the net past USF goalie Dane Brenner. It was Crowley's first goal of the season and O'Connor's first assist for the Scarlet Knights. RU's defense managed to hold the Bulls scoreless as the team went into halftime with the 1-0 lead.
The second half was a scoreless one for both teams, as neither side could convert shot opportunities into goals. Rutgers was forced to play a man down when Chris Moore (Gosforth, England) was red-carded on a controversial call, but RU goalie Matt VanOekel (Chesapeake, Va.) and the rest of the Scarlet Knights' defense made sure the 1-0 lead held. VanOekel recorded the shutout, his third of the season, finishing the game with a season-high seven saves.
The Bulls had their share of scoring opportunities, as the team out-shot Rutgers 19-12, and had a man-advantage for the last 28 minutes of the match, but could not put the ball in the net. Keavon Neaves recorded three shots in the first half, and had five on the game for South Florida. Zach Simi (East Brunswick, N.J.) led the Scarlet Knights with three shots.
RU head coach Bob Reasso knew how important this win was for his team.
"It was a great win by us," Reasso said. "Michael (Crowley) had a great goal. USF is a good team and to beat them on their ground was just what we needed after Wednesday's loss (to Villanova). All of the alumni and Scarlet R Club members who stayed to watch our match really helped us in the last 28 minutes when we were playing a man down. I couldn't be prouder of the guys."
The Scarlet Knights will return home for two games, beginning with Cleveland State on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at 8:00 p.m.
Rutgers at USF (Sept. 30 at Tampa, Fl.)
Rutgers (5-6, 2-4 BIG EAST) at USF (5-4-2, 3-2-2 BIG EAST)
Date: Sept. 30, 2006 Attendance:
Goals by Period: 1 2 Tot
Rutgers 1 0 1
USF 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
Shots: RU - 12, USF - 19.
Saves: RU - 7, USF - 3
Time Team Goal Assist(s)
14:51 RU Crowley, Michael (1) O'Connor, Kevin (1)
