Barisic Garners Weekly Accolades
Oct 22 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers sophomore Tomislav Barisic (Osijek, Croatia) was recognized as the National Player of the Week by collegesoccernews.com and the Offensive Player of the Week by the BIG EAST Conference, it was announced. In addition, Barisic was also named to the Soccer America Men's Team of the Week. He was one of four BIG EAST players to receive the weekly honor.
Barisic helped the Scarlet Knights post a 2-0 record this past week after scoring two goals each in back-to-back victories over Penn Oct. 17 and No. 18 USF Oct. 20.
Against the Quakers, Barisic scored what would become the game-winning goal in the 36th minute on an assist from senior Chris Moore (Gosforth, England). He helped RU rebound from a previous loss at DePaul on Oct. 13, as the Scarlet Knights defeated Penn 2-0 on a second goal from Barisic in the 57th minute off a pass from senior Adam Sternberger (Mays Landing, N.J.).
In Saturday's contest against nationally-ranked USF, Barisic tallied his first goal of the game on a pass from senior Kevin O'Connor (Freehold, N.J.). In the 56th minute, Barisic took a shot from 35 yards out that sailed into the back net, giving Rutgers a 2-0 lead.
In the 70th minute, Barisic tacked on another score when he collected the rebound from Sternberger's deflected shot on goal and sent it past Bulls' goalkeeper Diego Restrepo as RU came away with the 3-1 win.
"Tomo is now playing the way we expected him to play," said head coach Bob Reasso. "It's great for our team and him that he is playing very well right now. We need him to continue this form through the rest of the season."
After scoring his first collegiate goal - a game-winner - in the Scarlet Knights 2-1 victory over BIG EAST foe Syracuse Oct. 7, Barisic now has a team-leading five goals on the season.
The Scarlet Knights will next be in action on Wednesday, Oct. 24, when they travel to Queens, N.Y., to take on long-time rival St. John's at 7:00 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
