PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers men's soccer (5-9-2, 2-6-1 B1G) will end the 2024 regular season at Michigan State (5-6-4, 4-3-2 B1G) on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m.  

The contest will be streamed on B1G+.  

Last Time Out  

The Scarlet Knights defeated No. 10 Maryland on Tuesday night, 3-1, for their second top 10 win of the season. Ian Abbey, Nico Rosamilia and Aidan Flynn all found the back of the net in the final home game of the 2024 season.  

Just before the half, Abbey cashed in on a penalty kick to give RU the lead with seconds left in the first half.  

Rosamilia followed up in the 63rd minute with a deflection to score his third goal of the season and the ultimate game-winner.  

The Terrapins got one back in the 72nd minute but Rutgers stayed hungry on offense. The team drew another foul in the Terps' box and senior captain, Flynn, recorded his first career goal on a PK with minutes left in regulation. 
 

A Knight to remember 🤩#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/WpES8v9RrB

— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) October 31, 2024

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 12 outings, Dylan Carlson three, Matty Lynch two and Illia Tyrkus one. In addition, several others have seen time on the pitch.  

Scouting the Spartans 

Michigan State has not picked up a win in its last four contests, as they tied No. 1 Ohio State (2-2), Michigan (0-0) and fell to Indiana (3-1).  

The team's last win game on Oct. 11 versus then-No. 25 Wisconsin (2-0).  

Jonathan Stout paces the team in multiple statistical categories with four goals and two assists for a total of 10 points.  

Follow Along  
 
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