Rutgers University
Delaware
Men's Soccer to Host Delaware Monday Night
Aug 23 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers men's soccer team will return to Yucak Field to take on Delaware on Monday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. Admission is always free for all fans.
The match will be streamed on B1G+ and you can listen live on WRSU.
Last Time Out
The Scarlet Knights defeated Northeastern (0-1) 3-1 in the 2024 season opener at Yurcak Field on Thursday night. Curt Calov recorded his first brace "On The Banks" in the first 10 minutes of play while Nico Rosamilia added an insurance goal in the beginning of the second half to secure the win.
Ohhhh What A Night for Curt Calov 🤩#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/STrc31IuyX
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 23, 2024
In addition, goalkeeper Ciaran Dalton secured four saves, his highest total in a season opener.
Big Ten Preseason Honors
The Big Ten announced its 2024 men's soccer preseason honors Wednesday afternoon, naming Joey Zalinsky, Curt Calov and Ola Maeland as Players to Watch.
All 👀 on these guys!
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 21, 2024
Get ready to watch Joey, Ola, Curt and all of the Scarlet Knights in the 2024 season opener on Thursday, 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field ⚽️
📰: https://t.co/PGfEBOALRA
🎟️ ALWAYS FREE!#GoRu | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/Iz60WCamsu
Zalinsky picks up the honor for a second year in a row after yet another outstanding season on the Scarlet Knights' backline. In the 2023 season, Zalinsky started all 15 games he was available for and ranked second on the team with 1,314 minutes on the pitch. He played in all 90 minutes of 2-0 shutout win against Columbia (Sept. 13) the historic 2-1 win against Maryland (Oct. 3) for the program's first-ever win in College Park.
In his first season "On The Banks" Calov proved to be an elite midfielder in the Big Ten. The senior saw action in 15 games and made 13 starts. He recorded nine points, the second highest total on the team, netting three goals and three assists. Calov also paced the Scarlet Knights with 32 total shots and 16 on goal.
Maeland will continue to be a key piece of the puzzle for RU this season on the attacking end. In 2023, he appeared in all 16 outings and made 14 starts. He recorded four goals, the second most for RU, for eight points, the third highest total on the season. Maeland netted three of the four goals in conference play, including the game winner against Penn State (Oct. 17) in the regular season. He found the back of the net for another score against the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Tournament (Nov. 3), earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
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.
2024 Promotions
RU released its 2024 Promotion Schedule ahead of its season opener on Aug. 22.
All 👀 on these guys!
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 21, 2024
Get ready to watch Joey, Ola, Curt and all of the Scarlet Knights in the 2024 season opener on Thursday, 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field ⚽️
📰: https://t.co/PGfEBOALRA
🎟️ ALWAYS FREE!#GoRu | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/Iz60WCamsu
The schedule is highlighted by the Youth Soccer Kick Off Aug. 30 versus Princeton, the Black Out on Sept. 13 against Indiana, Senior Day versus Michigan on Sept. 28 and the Scarlet Out on Oct. 17 when Northwestern comes to town.
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.).
Eight freshmen saw action in the season opener while Godden and Adalsteinsson also earned their starts.
Nonconference Schedule
The Scarlet Knights will face seven nonconference opponents before diving into Big Ten play.
In addition to Northeastern and Delaware, the team will host Princeton and Seton Hall. They will also travel to take on Lehigh, Providence and Yale.
While multiple teams made runs their respective conference tournaments, Yale won the Ivy League and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
B1G Updates
With the official expansion of the Big Ten over the summer, Rutgers will face two new faces in UCLA and Washington.
RU will post the Bruins in Piscataway for the first time as a member of the league on Friday, Oct. 18 (7 p.m.). The teams renewed their historic rivalry with matches in 2022 and 2023. UCLA picked up victories in both meetings.
The Scarlet Knights will travel to face the Huskies on Friday Oct. 25 at 10 p.m. ET. It will be just the fifth meeting between the two programs and the first since 1998.
Scouting the Blue Hens
Delaware started off the 2024 campaign with a 3-0 win over Howard on Aug. 22. Freshman Marius Stenner recorded two goals and an assist in the outings.
The Scarlet Knights and the Hens met in the season opener last year, when UD came out on top, 3-2. RU still owns the 3-1-1 all-time edge over the opposition.
Up Next
Rutgers will round out its three-match homestand to open the season, welcoming Princeton on Friday, Aug. 30. The contest will begin at 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field and admission is always free for all fans.
Follow Along
Follow Rutgers men's soccer on Twitter and Instagram (@RUMensSoccer) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMensSoccer). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter (@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
