Piscataway, N.J. – The Rutgers men's soccer team (0-1-1) tied St. John's (1-0-1), 2-2, in its home opener on Monday night. Fans were out in full force at Yurcak Field however, cheering for the Scarlet Knights on a beautiful night "On The Banks."
In the first 10 minutes of the game, Luciano Sanchez was fouled in the box and the Scarlet Knights earned their first penalty kick of the season. Calov cashed in to give his team the early lead.
Then in the 30th minute, St. John's knotted the score, 1-1.
Just after halftime, Temple capitalized on a stray pass from the Red Storm and outran the defender to put RU back on top.
However, with under seven minutes to go, the Johnnies even the score back up to end the game with a 2-2 tie.
Goals
10' (RU) Curt Calov (1) – unassisted
30' | (SJU) Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (1) – Max McNulty & Antonia Biggs
50' | (RU) Jackson Temple (1) – unassisted
83' | (SJU) Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (2) - Connor Mucchetti & Antonio Biggs
Game Notes
- Calov's goals marks his first since transferring to Rutgers from Syracuse in the offseason. The score is also the ninth of his career as he registered eight goals in his first two campaigns with the Orange.
- Temple's goal is also his first of the season and the 20th of his career. He now leads the squad with three points on the fall.
- Freshman Luciano Sanchez made the first start of his career, after coming in as a sub in the season opener at Delaware (Aug. 24). Freshman Erick Ruiz saw his first minutes for the Scarlet Knights on defense as well. Rookie Devon Stopek made his second consecutive start.
- Bryan Keating, Aidan Flynn, Cole Sotack and Colin Beasley all saw the pitch for the first time this season.
- Saahb Kular, Joey Zalinsky, Matthew Acosta and Ciaran Dalton have played every minute on the field for Rutgers through two games this season.
- Dalton leads the goalkeeper unit with four saves on 13 shots faced.
- Rutgers owned the 6-4 edge in shots over St. John's, but both teams were even with three chances on frame.
- RU is now 6-12-8 against SJU all-time.
Gallery: (8-28-2023) Rutgers men's soccer vs. St. John's
Looking Ahead
Rutgers will once again hit the road, this time taking a short trip to face Ivy League standout Princeton (0-0) on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. The contest will take place at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium and be streamed on ESPN+.
Follow Along
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