Box Score Nov. 9, 2014 Box Score
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The eighth-seeded Rutgers men's soccer team's quest to make it back-to-back seasons with an upset in the conference tournament quarterfinals were dashed with host and top-seeded Maryland advancing in Big Ten Tournament action with a 2-0 win over the Scarlet Knights.
The Terps, ranked at No. 17 in this week's NSCAA/Continental Tire Poll, converted a penalty kick and added in another score midway through the second half to advance to next weekend's Big Ten semifinals against Michigan State.
"I'm incredibly proud of the effort the team gave this weekend. Certainly, I'm excited about moving this team and the program forward because we have some great pieces," said head coach Dan Donigan. "Work for next season begins now, but I'm very proud of how these guys finished off the season in the tournament."
Most of Maryland's early chances on goal went sailing over the Scarlet Knight net, but the stalemate was broken when the Terrapins' Mael Corboz converted a penalty kick in the 32nd minute.
Redshirt junior JP Correa (Montville, N.J.) had RU's lone shot of the first stanza. On a takeaway, Correa got loose for a look from 20 yards out that was stopped by Terp keeper Zack Steffen.
Redshirt junior Thomas O'Rourke (Lawrenceville, N.J.) gave Rutgers two early opportunities in the second half. O'Rourke sent the ball towards the Maryland net from 30 yards out, but Maryland netminder Zack Steffen was able came up with the save. Minutes later, freshman forward Jason Wright (Kingston, Jamaica) fed O'Rourke at the top of the 18, but the shot went just wide left of the Terp goal.
The Rutgers defense made several blocks and interrupted plays in the box throughout the second half, but Maryland was able to add an insurance goal in the 75th minute. Jerme Raley sent in the ball from the right side of the box to find George Campbell 10 yards out for the 2-0 Terp edge.
Wright, RU and the Big Ten's leading scorer, had a chance late to get the Scarlet Knights onto the scoreboard, but the Terp defense denied the freshman forward in blocking his shot from the top of the 18.
RU sophomore goalkeeper David Greczek (Fairfield, N.J.) ended the game with a trio of stops, while his counterpart, Steffen, made two saves on the day.
Rutgers ends the 2014 campaign at 6-12-1 and goes down in the history books as the first Scarlet Knight team to capture both a Big Ten regular season and Big Ten Tournament wins.
KNIGHT NOTES:
- Freshman Jason Wright led the Scarlet Knights in 2014 with 25 points (10G, 5A), the most goals and points by a Scarlet Knights since 2003.
- Senior midfielder Nate Bruccoleri finishes his four year career "On The Banks" with 13 points (4G, 6A).
- With his three saves against Maryland, sophomore goalkeeper David Greczek is in sole possession of seventh place on RU's all-time career saves leaders list with 188 career stops.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMensSoccer) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RUMensSoccer) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
-RU-
