PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's soccer (8-3-2, 2-3-1) gained a crucial three points on the Big Ten table with a 2-1 victory at Northwestern (4-7-2, 1-5-0) on Friday evening at Lanny & Sharon Martin Stadium. With three regular season games remaining, the Scarlet Knights' eight victories are the program's most in a campaign since earning 12 during the 2015 NCAA Tournament season.

The year 2015 was also the last time Rutgers won in Evanston. Ritchie Barry ensured that victory with the game-winning goal on a well-placed header in the 81st minute, redirecting a perfect cross from the left sideline by Nick Cruz. The score broke the 1-1 tie and the Scarlet Knights held on over the final nine minutes to up its point total to seven on the Big Ten table with two conference games remaining in 2021.

"So proud of our team," said head coach Jim McElderry. "I thought we played well, but it's not easy to win in this league. We scored on two great goals tonight, and we needed both of them. We will enjoy this one and then shift focus to Michigan."

Rutgers got the opener when Jason Bouregy led Jackson Temple into the attacking third in the 21st minute. The junior striker swiftly penetrated the defense and ripped a left-footed shot from the top of the 18-yard box up and over the keeper to the left side of the net for the 1-0 lead. It was the third goal of the season for the junior, which is now tied for the team lead.

Barry bagged goal No. 2. Bouregy boasts his first assist with the Scarlet Knights, while Cruz picked up his first helper of the year and fourth of his career in his senior campaign. Bouregy and Cruz become the 11th and 12th different Scarlet Knights to record a point this season.
 

Rain won't stop @RUMensSoccer 🤫 pic.twitter.com/hKRZOXPhuU

— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) October 16, 2021

Barry bangs home his second of the season, and it's a B1G one! pic.twitter.com/OCNYeSgj72

— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) October 16, 2021

Northwestern evened the contest in the 52nd minute after a flick-on header following a cross was headed in at the goal line.

Rutgers evens the all-time series with the Wildcats at 5-5 with its first win in Evanston since 2015. The Scarlet Knights have now won two consecutive matches in the head-to-head against Northwestern.

RU outshot NU overall, 12-6, and in shots on target, 5-3. Oren Asher made two saves for the Scarlet Knights, while on attack, Temple took a match-high five shots with three of those on target. Matthew Acosta also tested the Northwestern goalkeeper with a shot on net.

Rutgers gets another Big Ten bye before playing the second of three-consecutive road games on Friday, Oct. 22 at Michigan in a 7 p.m. ET kickoff from Ann Arbor, Mich. on Big Ten+.
 
 
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