Duka Receives BIG EAST Weekly Accolades
Sep 29 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers sophomore Dilly Duka (Montville, N.J.) was named to the men's soccer BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll, the league announced Monday. It marked the second time this season that Duka earned conference accolades. He was previously selected to the honor roll following his performance in RU's upset victory over sixth-ranked UC Santa Barbara (Sept. 12).
Duka was recognized for his performance in the Scarlet Knights' come-from-behind triumph over in-state and BIG EAST rival Seton Hall on Sunday. The team's leading goal-scorer on the year with six tallies, Duka recorded his third two-goal performance in the win against the Pirates. He scored two goals each in victories over Manhattan (Aug. 31) and UC Santa Barbara.
Following a scoreless opening half, Seton Hall struck the scoreboard first with a goal on a penalty kick to pull ahead 1-0 in the 55th minute. The Scarlet Knights regrouped and responded moments later as Duka added the equalizer and in less than two minutes tacked on the game-winner to seal the victory.
RU's first goal came off a corner kick in the 63rd minute when freshman Robbie McLarney (Londonderry, N.H.) played a service into the box which was headed out by a Seton Hall defender. The clearance landed about 20 yards away where it was met by Duka, who collected the ball and sent a strike into the upper part of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
The Scarlet Knights' next scoring opportunity came as they counterattacked on one of Seton Hall's potential goal-scoring chances. The Pirates were awarded a free kick from 40 yards out. The ensuing pass into the box was cleared out by sophomore Sal Fusari (Union, N.J.) who found freshman Sam Archer (Queens, N.Y.) on the wing.
Archer did the rest to start the break as he played a pass ahead to senior Kevin McFadden (Midlothian, Va.) who carried it the length of the field before sending a low cross into the box where Duka was waiting to pounce. Seton Hall goalkeeper Paul McHenry made a full extension as he attempted to challenge the cross but it glanced just off of his hands.
Duka corralled the loose ball and made the most of his opportunity, burying the game-winner in the lower right corner of the net. The Scarlet Knight defense continued to hold off any remaining scoring attempts by the Pirates to claim the 2-1 victory. The win snapped the Pirates' three-game win streak against Rutgers and improved RU's lead in the all-time series to 32-16-5.
The Scarlet Knights return to action on Saturday, Oct. 4, when they host DePaul at 7:00 p.m. at Yurcak Field.
