VIDEO RECAP: #RFutbol bounced back for a 4-1 win over Lafayette pic.twitter.com/pWMUd9VLMG

— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) October 19, 2017
 

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers men's soccer team didn't let an early penalty kick goal by Lafayette deter them as the Scarlet Knights stormed back to take a 4-1 victory on Wednesday night at Yurcak Field.

Freshmen Bryce Washington and Kyle Galloway each captured their first points as Scarlet Knights, with veterans Erik Sa and Thomas Dovell also finding the back of the Leopard in helping Rutgers (4-10-1) return to the win column.

After Chris Gomez converted a penalty kick in the game's fourth minute to give the Leopards (2-12-0) the early lead, it was all Rutgers with the Scarlet Knights responding in taking a 3-1 lead at the half and four unanswered goals total.

Washington scored his first career goal to knot the score at 1-1 in the 27^th minute. A cross from fellow classmate Tyejae Burchall from the near side of the field, looking to find senior Ryan Peterson, was stopped by Lafayette goalie Brian Ehrlich. However, when the ball got loose, Washington was there to put it into the back of the Leopard net.

Dovell captured his second goal of the season, registering the eventual game-winner in the 34^th minute off assists from a pair of freshmen. From the midfield line, Vincent Borden passed to Galloway just outside the top of the 18. Galloway one-timed the ball to his left for Dovell to fire from 20-yards out. With Peterson diving in an attempt to head in the play, the ball found its way inside the far post for the 2-1 Rutgers edge.

The Scarlet Knights would enjoy a 3-1 lead entering the half. First half scoring was rounded out as Dovell was looking to connect with Galloway, with the ball redirected into goal on a header by the Lafayette defense.

Sa, who had missed a penalty kick opportunity in the early in the second half, got another opportunity on goal in the 62^nd minute for the contest's final tally. The senior Scarlet Knight tapped in the rebound save off a Galloway header into the near post.

"It's always good to walk off the field with a result, especially heading into a big game with Penn State on Sunday," said head coach Dan Donigan. "Tonight was a good performance. I give Lafayette credit, they played to the very end and last whistle. They are a difficult team to break down and we were able to do it with quality serves into the box and getting on the end of things. I thought tonight we did a good job. We made one mistake in the first five minutes of the game. Other than that, I thought we were pretty spot on, especially defensively.

"We're going to be looking for another similar performance on Sunday, working hard on all facets of the game. We've got to execute, make good decisions and we can't give up mistakes."

Rutgers concluded the night outshooting Lafayette, 19-10, and holding a 8-3 advantage in corners.

Junior Rafael Pereira made four stops in goal in the victory, while Lafayette's Ehrlich posted eight stops in the loss.

The Rutgers men's soccer team is back to action on Sunday, Oct. 22 against Penn State in the Big Ten regular season finale. The Scarlet Knight seniors - Niel Guzman, Brandon Tetro, Ethan Vanacore-Decker, Erik Sa, Dante Perez, Jack Young, Ahmad Faheem, Spencer Hambleton and Ryan Peterson - will be honored prior to kickoff at 1 p.m.

KNIGHT NOTES:
- Senior Erik Sa notched his third goal of the season and now has seven points (3G, 1A) on the year. Sa has totaled 26 points (8G, 10A) in his four years "On The Banks".
- Junior Thomas Dovell posted his second goal of the season and second career-game winner. He now has eight points (3G, 2A) in his career. Dovell's other game-winner came against Bradley last season.
- Freshman Vincent Borden captured his first career assist. He currently has three points (1G, 1A) in his first season at Rutgers.
- Bryce Washington recorded his first Scarlet Knight points on RU's first goal of the evening. He joins Vincent Borden as the other Rutgers rookie to score a goal this season.
- Freshman Kyle Galloway registered his first career points coming off the bench for a pair of assists.

Follow Rutgers men's soccer 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.