PISCATAWAY, N.J. – In its final home of the 2024 fall season, the Rutgers men's soccer team (4-9-2, 1-6-1 B1G) will host No. 2 Maryland (8-2-5, 5-1-2, B1G) on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
As always, admission to Yurcak Field is free for all fans. The contest will be streamed on B1G+ as well as available to listen on WRSU.
Last Time Out
The Scarlet Knights fell to Washington (7-4-5, 3-3-3 B1G) on the road Friday night. The Huskies scored in the 23rd minute and although the Scarlet Knights were strong on defense and generated some offensive chances in the second half, RU couldn't find the back of the net.
Washington secured the victory with another score in the 88th minute.
2024 Team Captains
At the start of preseason, head coach Jim McElderry named the captains for the 2024 fall season. Joey Zalinsky was selected for the honor for the second season in a row in addition to fellow senior Aidan Flynn and junior Cole Cruthers.
"Being a captain for the second season in a row means a lot," said Zalinsky. "It shows that I am more than just a leader. I am able to help this team win and help my teammates on and off the field."
Flynn, a four-year defender for the Scarlet Knights, has seen the team evolve and thrive during his tenure "On The Banks." Now he is excited to help lead and encourage that growth.
"It's a really great opportunity," Flynn said. "I am so fortunate to have been able to be here all four years and have gone through the progression. The culture has grown and every year we have become more of a family and a collective. It has been so nice to see, and I am excited to help lead that."
Although Cruthers is the youngest of the group, he is excited for what he can bring to the table. The 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year is poised for a great season on the pitch but is also ready to pass on what he has learned from his time at the collegiate level.
"It's a lot of responsibility but it's a position I have been in before," Cruthers said. "I am excited to be able to help some of the younger guys like the older guys have helped me. It's really an honor."
All three will don the captain arm band this season and are excited to bring RU to new heights.
The Returners
The Scarlet Knights return a solid 17 student-athletes to the 2024 roster. This includes three of the top five goal scorers in Ola Maeland, Curt Calov and Ian Abbey. The three combined for 10 goals.
The team also returns some core members of their defense including Joey Zalinsky, Big Ten All-Freshman honoree Nicholas Collins, Erick Ruiz and Devon Stopek.
In addition, goalkeeper Ciaran Dalton comes back for his junior season after posting four wins, 53 saves and one shutout in 14 matches in 2023.
Introducing the Freshmen
Going into his sixth season, McElderry and his staff welcomed 11 freshmen during the offseason, tied for the biggest recruiting class since 2019.
The class is comprised of four international student-athletes: Kristófer Arnarsson (Grafarvogur, Iceland), Anthony Morano (Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada), Scott Godden (Leeds, England) and Arnar Adalsteinsson (Kopavogur, Iceland).
The remaining seven rookies are from the east coast, including six from New Jersey: Graham Kois (Scotch Plains, N.J.), Matty Lynch (Chesterfield, N.J.), Eddie Krupski (Clark, N.J.), Illia Tyrkus (Bridgewater, N.J.), Dylan Carlson (Sayreville, N.J.), Lenny Aviles (East Windsor, N.J.) and Thomas Angelone (Boston, Mass.).
Godden has started the most games over any other freshman with 14. In addition, Adalsteinsson has started 11 outings, Dylan Carlson three, Matty Lynch two and Illia Tyrkus one. In addition, several others have seen time on the pitch.
Scouting the Terps
Prior to just its second loss of the season to Michigan (2-0), Maryland has been on a 12-match streak without a loss. The team also dropped a decision to Georgetown (2-0) in their second game of the season.
Leon Koehl paces the Terrapins with six goals in addition to two assists for 14 total points.
Up Next
Rutgers will travel to face Michigan State on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. The match will be available to stream on B1G+.
Follow Along
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