Rutgers
UCLA
Men's Soccer Set to Take On No. 11 UCLA in B1G Opener
Sep 10 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. ā Rutgers men's soccerĀ will open Big Ten play againstĀ No. 11 UCLAĀ at Yurcak Field on Friday night.Ā Ā
Match DetailsĀ
Rutgers (1-2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) vs.Ā #11 UCLAĀ (3-0-2, 0-0 Big Ten)Ā
7 p.m. ET | Friday,Ā Sept.Ā 11Ā
Yurcak Field | Piscataway, N.J.Ā
Stream: B1G+Ā
Last Time OutĀ Ā
Despite a close contest,Ā the Scarlet Knights fell to then-No. 21 UC Santa Barbara (2-1-2), 1-0, on Monday night.Ā Ā
The teamsĀ played toĀ a scoreless first half, with both sides recording three shots through the opening 45 minutes.Ā Ā
UC Santa Barbara broke through in the 70th minute, scoring on a long strike from outside the box. The Scarlet Knights continued to create opportunities down the stretch, outshooting the Gauchos, 7-4, in the second half, but were unable to find the equalizer as they fell, 1-0.Ā
Fill The Hill
FILL THE HILL ā¼ļø
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) September 10, 2026
Big Ten soccer is coming to Yurcak, and we want YOU there š“ āŖļø
Bring your family, grab your blankets and lawn chairs, and help us create an electric atmosphere on the berm!
š°: https://t.co/DpRhKHophH#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/nhxTrdMBIK
Rutgers men's soccer is invitingĀ fans toĀ "Fill the Hill"Ā this fall asĀ theĀ ScarletĀ KnightsĀ hostĀ threeĀ marqueeĀ Big TenĀ matchupsĀ atĀ Yurcak Field.Ā
TheĀ "Fill the Hill"Ā initiative will provide a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for fans on the berm at Yurcak Field, across from theĀ bleachers.Ā Ā
The threeĀ "Fill the Hill"Ā dates are:Ā
- vs.Ā No. 12 UCLAĀ ā Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.Ā
- vs.Ā NorthwesternĀ ā Friday, Oct. 2Ā atĀ 7 p.m.Ā
- vs.Ā MichiganĀ ā Friday, Oct. 23Ā atĀ 7 p.m.Ā Ā
Fans attendingĀ the above contestsĀ are encouraged to bring blankets,Ā lawn chairsĀ and arrive earlyĀ to enjoy the atmosphere.Ā Pop-up tents will not beĀ permitted.Ā
"Fill the Hill"Ā entry will be available through the rear entrance of YurcakĀ Field,Ā providing direct access to the event area.Ā Ā
Portable restroomsĀ as well as select food and beveragesĀ will be available near theĀ "FillĀ the Hill"Ā area, while fans may also walk around to the front entrance of YurcakĀ FieldĀ to access the regular restroom facilitiesĀ andĀ fullĀ concession stand.Ā
Big Ten Preseason HonorsĀ Ā Ā
Nick Collins, Rafael Ponce de Leon andĀ Amer LukovicĀ were selected as Preseason Big Ten Players to Watch.Ā
All eyes on us š¤©#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/maslsaFWaU
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 18, 2026
Collins is coming off his best season with the Scarlet Knights, finishing with a career-best eight points while playing an essential role on the defensive end. He started all 17 matches in 2025 and logged the second-most minutes on the team with 1,499.Ā Collins scored a career-best three goals, including the game-winner against Wisconsin on Oct. 10, while also adding two assists.Ā He helpedĀ RutgersĀ record five shutouts, the program's most since 2021.Ā Ā Ā
Ponce de Leon joins the Scarlet Knights after three seasons at Northwestern, where heĀ establishedĀ himself as a standout keeper in the Big Ten. He started all 16 matches during the 2025 season and recorded five shutouts for the second consecutive year. He wrapped up his Northwestern career with 12 clean sheets, which ranks fifth all-time in program history.Ā Ā Ā
After a successful career at Montclair State, Lukovic found the back of the net once last season at James Madison (Aug. 29) before an injury cut his season short. He has already made an impact during the preseason and will look to continue that productivity this fall.Ā Ā Ā
Collins and Kitch Named to 2026 United Soccer Coaches Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Players to WatchĀ
Nick CollinsĀ andĀ Charlie KitchĀ have been named to the 2026 United Soccer Coaches Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Players to Watch List for Defenders.Ā
Making some noise š¢
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 4, 2026
All eyes are on Nick Collins and Charlie Kitch heading into the season as the pair is named to the @UnitedCoaches Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Players to Watch!
š°: https://t.co/QLunyVsEoW#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/VjI6DWP9wB
The watch lists are compiled and released by the United Soccer Coaches Division I All-America Committees to highlight the nation's top players leading into the start of the 2026 regular season. The list features returning standouts, including 2025 United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and All-Region selections.Ā Ā
CollinsĀ earnsĀ the recognition after a standout junior campaign with the Scarlet Knights. He started all 17 matches and loggedĀ 1,499 minutes, the second-most on the team.Ā The MountĀ Olive, New Jersey, native recorded a career-high three goals, including the game-winner against Wisconsin on Oct. 10, while adding two assists for a career-best eight points. Defensively, he helpedĀ RutgersĀ post five shutouts, the program's most since 2021.Ā Ā
Kitch joins the watch list following an impressive junior season at Elon, where he helped lead the Phoenix to the 2025 CAA Championship. He collected All-CAA Second Team honors for the second consecutive season, earned United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Atlantic RegionĀ recognitionĀ and was named to the CAA All-Tournament Team.Ā Ā
The Medford, New Jersey,Ā product madeĀ 12 starts in 18 appearances, totalingĀ 1,129 minutes. He scored two goalsĀ onĀ the season, including the game-winner against UNCW on Oct. 11 and another in Elon's 6-4 CAA Tournament semifinal victory over Campbell on Nov. 9.Ā
Both have netted oneĀ goal eachĀ soĀ farĀ this season.Ā Ā
The ReturnersĀ Ā
Rutgers returns 17 student-athletes who saw action during the 2025 season, including seven players who started at least 12 matches.Ā Ā
The Scarlet Knights bring back three key pieces of the backline in Collins,Ā Braxton MontgomeryĀ andĀ Devon Stopek, all of whom appeared in every match last season.Ā Ā
In addition, Rutgers returns eight of its 10 goal scorers from a year ago, accounting for 17 of the team's goals in 2025.Ā Ā
Welcoming the NewcomersĀ Ā
McElderry and his staff welcomed 11 newĀ facesĀ "OnĀ TheĀ Banks" during the offseason, including seven transfers and four first-year players.Ā Ā
The transfer class brings veteran talent from across the country,Ā combining forĀ 103 career games of collegiate experience.Ā Ā
Transfers:Ā Rafael Ponce de LeonĀ (Northwestern),Ā Charlie KitchĀ (Elon),Ā Pius SsebulimeĀ (Gardner-Webb),Ā Zach MastrodimosĀ (UCLA),Ā William PierceĀ (Fairfield),Ā Jan ZiewiecĀ (Hofstra) andĀ Abubaker MayanjaĀ (UNC)Ā Ā
First Years:Ā Brian Nascimento,Ā Julian Chapman,Ā Noah HannawaldĀ andĀ Hector CriadoĀ
Up NextĀ Ā
Rutgers will finish out itsĀ home stand against in-state rival No. 16 Princeton on Tuesday, Sept. 15.Ā Ā
Follow AlongĀ Ā
Follow Rutgers men's soccer on Twitter and Instagram (@RUMensSoccer) for all the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook atĀ www.facebook.com/RutgersMensSoccer.Ā
