Newark, Del. – The Rutgers men's soccer team (0-1-0) fell to Delaware (1-0-0), 3-2, in its season opener on the road Thursday night. Saahb Kular and Cole Cruther scored in the contest while Ian Abbey, Jackson Temple and Luciano Sanchez all registered assists.
After a back-and-forth start to the first half, the Blue Hens struck first with a goal in the 18th minute to take the early lead. However, the Scarlet Knights continued to generate chances and with seconds left in the first half, tied up the match, 1-1, with a header from Kular.
RU kept the pressure on, with a 2-0 shot advantage 15 minutes into the second half. But UD stayed patient, cashing in on a free kick just outside the box in the 74th minute to retake the 2-1 edge. Delaware continued on, adding another score in the 77th minute to extend its lead, 3-1.
Cole Cruthers cut the Blue Hens' lead by a score, with a goal in the 87th minute of play, but it wasn't enough as the opposition came away with the 3-2 win.
Goals
18' (UD) Carlos Fernandez (1) – Sam Donnellan
44' (RU) Saahb Kular (1) – Ian Abbey
74' | (UD) Cristobal Granada (1) – unassisted
77' | (UD) Jordan Miller (1) – unassisted
87' | (RU) Cole Cruthers (1) – Luciano Sanchez, Jackson Temple
Game Notes
- Three Scarlet Knights started their first career game at Rutgers in senior defender Saahb Kular, junior midfielder Curt Calov and freshman defender Devon Stopek. Freshman forward Luciano Sanchez and sophomore defender Sawyer Koza also subbed in for their first minutes for RU.
- In his first start at RU, Kular scored the first goal of the season for Rutgers. It marks the second score of his career, as he also registered a goal while at Cleveland State during the 2021-22 season against Northern Kentucky (Oct. 16).
- Although it was Kular's first start in Scarlet, it was his 44th all-time start, as he was part of the starting 11 with the Vikings 43 times.
- Cruthers's goal marks the second of his career, as he also scored last fall against Northwestern (Sept. 17). His assist marks the fourth of his career, with three helpers in 2022.
- Rutgers owned the overall edge in shots, 17-9, and shots on goal, 9-6.
- In his first game for the Scarlet Knights, Sanchez led the team with four shots. The freshman stunned with multiple great chances on offense.
- Sanchez, Kular and Cruthers all paced RU with two shots on frame, respectively.
- This is the first time in program history Rutgers has fallen to Delaware as they previously owned the 3-0-1 all-time advantage.
Looking Ahead
Rutgers host St. John's on Monday, Aug. 28 (7 p.m.) in its home opener at Yurcak Field. The contest will be streamed on B1G+.
The Scarlet Knights will celebrate their Youth Soccer Kickoff with multiple promotions including free ice cream for the first 100 kids wearing their youth soccer team apparel, pictures with the Big Ten Tournament trophy and postgame autographs with the team.
Follow Along
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