PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The No. 22 Rutgers men's soccer team returned to the win column on Tuesday night behind a 2-1 victory over Saint Peter's at Yurcak Field to remain unbeaten at 6-0-2 on the year.
 

MATCH SUMMARY

• A give and go from Pablo Ávila thru three Peacock defenders back to Jackson Temple straight up the box put Rutgers ahead 1-0 in the 22^nd minute
• Ávila would go on to collect the game-winner shortly after the break. In the 50^th minute, the Terrassa Spain native received a cross from Thomas DeVizio from the right side to the center of the Saint Peter's net.
• The Peacocks struck back a minute later to thwart the shutout. Dominic Laws sent a pass across the top of the 18 for Jordan Jowers to strike into the right post.
• RU's Oren Asher picked up a pair of critical second half saves to preserve the win including coming off the line to stop a surging Saint Peter's leading scorer Dominic Laws from adding in a tying goal from six yards out in the 55^th minute.

KEY STATS

• The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0-2 on the year, while Saint Peter's fell to 3-4-0 overall.
• Rutgers outshot Saint Peter's, 12-10, while the Peacocks held a 4-3 edge in corners with all four attempts coming in the second half.
• Freshman goalkeeper Oren Asher totaled three saves as did his Peacock counterpart Herman Wulff.

KNIGHT NOTES

• Rutgers eight-game unbeaten streak to open the season is the longest since 1985 when the Scarlet Knights opened the year with eight-consecutive victories.
• The Scarlet Knights have won three-straight contests at Yurcak Field.
• Freshman Jackson Temple knocked in his team-leading fourth goal of the year.
• Sophomore Pablo Ávila collected his third goal of the season and first career collegiate assist. RU's second leading scorer currently has seven points on the year.
• Sophomore Thomas DeVizio picked up his second helper of the 2019 campaign and fourth of his career.

MATCH QUOTES

"I got the ball from Pablo (Ávila) and I had the chance to turn. I trusted Pablo when he had guys on him and played him and knew he would figure out a creative way to get it back to me. We're happy and feel we could have played better this game, but winning is good and we're making it happen." - Jackson Temple
 
"We're almost halfway through the season and to be undefeated is something that we should be proud of. Every game is tough, every win is tough, but happy to be where we are right now. These Tuesday games in the middle of the season are not easy. I think both teams probably wish they had little better quality in the midfield at times, but a lot of that comes down to heavy legs." - head coach Jim McElderry
 

VIDEO RECAP

 

No. 22 @RUMensSoccer wins 2-1 over Saint Peters!

Check out some highlights from the Scarlet Knights 6th win of the season! pic.twitter.com/LLFPSTSWsZ

— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) September 25, 2019

UP NEXT

The Rutgers men's soccer team welcomes NCAA semifinalist Michigan State on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. for the Big Ten home opener.

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