PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Sophomore forward
Ola Maeland scored the game-winner and added an assist for Rutgers men's soccer (3-0-1) in a 2-0 victory over Mount St. Mary's (1-2-0) on Monday evening at Yurcak Field.
The Scarlet Knights still have not conceded a goal in 2021, matching the 1990 NCAA Championships runner-up team with four consecutive shutouts to begin the season. Junior goalkeeper
Oren Asher was not tested much on Monday, but stopped the Mountaineer's two shots on target for his 11
th career shutout.
Maeland, who entered the match as a substitute in the 33
rd minute, opened the scoring in the first half four minutes after coming on, heading home a gorgeous cross from senior captain
Thomas DeVizio inside the Mountaineer's six-yard box. It was the Norway native's second collegiate goal after scoring his first in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals as a freshman.
Maeland was credited with his first collegiate assist in the 59
th minute as the Scarlet Knights added an insurance goal in the second half. Maeland's cross was sent back to the top of the 18-yard box, where senior captain
Pablo Avila collected with a juggle, settled, and fired a volley to the right-side netting for the 2-0 advantage. Avila picks up career goal No. 7 and his first since scoring six in 2019.
"Our guys take it personally to not concede goals, and it's been impressive," said head coach
Jim McElderry. "We have a lot of guys contributing, starting with Oren and then with guys like Tommy,
Vincent Borden,
Hugo Le Guennec,
Joey Zalinsky,
Cole Sotack, and
Chris Tiao. It's a real team effort. We still have some work to do in the final third of the field, but I was happy with the performance today and getting through the Friday-Monday turnaround with our depth."
The Scarlet Knights sent 19 players to the pitch on Monday in the victory, including sophomore transfer
Jace Orvos, who made his Rutgers debut. Sophomore
Gabriel Addo made his first collegiate start.
RU outshot the Mountaineers, 16-6, with Maeland (2), Avila,
Matthew Acosta,
Nico Rosamilia, and
Anthony O'Donnell taking shots on target. The Scarlet Knights also earned nine corner kicks in the win.
The 3-0-1 start marks the second time in McElderrys' first three seasons "On the Banks" his squad has started the season unbeaten through four matches. The 2019 squad began 4-0.
The Scarlet Knights stay home to host Lehigh on Friday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field on Big Ten+.
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