This past Thursday was a gloomy day for Rutgers Athletics, as both the Men’s and Women’s soccer teams were unable to capture victory on the road. The men’s team dropped their season opener 3-2 against the Delaware Blue Hens, and the women's team ended their third match of the season in a draw against North Carolina State.
With the women’s team starting the season 1-1-1 and the men’s team starting 0-1, any Rutgers fan must be shocked and disappointed in the slow and unsuccessful start of both teams.
Hopefully both teams can get back on track as there are plenty of games left in the season.
Rutgers Men’s Soccer Recap vs Delaware
It was a highly anticipated season opener for the Scarlet Knights as many fans and supporters of Rutgers were waiting to see what the reigning Big Ten Tournament Champions looked like for the first time in 2023. The starting nine was announced prior to the game as the Scarlet Knights were ready to hit the pitch.
First starting XI of the season!
📺 FloSports
📊: https://t.co/m6RZNBW0LF#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/ZEPNDH1IbF— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 24, 2023
The first half was very back and forth between the Scarlet Knights and the Blue Hens, with each team scoring one goal. The Blue Hens struck first with 26 minutes to go in the first half, thanks to a beautiful assist and finish.
He's baaack 😎 pic.twitter.com/SVvFF4gRRV
— Delaware Men's Soccer (@DelawareMSOC) August 24, 2023
With just 12 seconds left in the first half the Scarlet Knights finally responded to equalize the score, with a gorgeous header from the top of the box by Saahb Kular with the assist from Ian Abbey.
First start, first goal ⚽️
Saahb Kular ties the game, 1-1, just before halftime!
📺: FloSports
📰: https://t.co/m6RZNBW0LF #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/8huJP8ebJm— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 24, 2023
In the second half with 15 minutes left Delaware netted a penalty kick from way outside the box. The Blue Hens regained the lead 2-1.
Back on 🔝 @GranadaCris pic.twitter.com/Gba9Vp4j2O
— Delaware Men's Soccer (@DelawareMSOC) August 25, 2023
Delaware then added onto their lead in the second half with 12 minutes to play, thanks to a nice assist and header finish. Blue Hens lead was then bumped up to 3-1.
Hens are on 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8yvUxFNRvx
— Delaware Men's Soccer (@DelawareMSOC) August 25, 2023
With less than three minutes left in the match the Scarlet Knights were finally able to get back on the board and within one, thanks to a nice double pass inside the box by Luciano Sanchez and Jackson Temple and finish from Cole Cruthers.
Cole Cruthers finds the back of the net to put the match within one score, 3-2.
📺: FloSports
📰: https://t.co/m6RZNBW0LF#GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/NLqXuIspSx— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 25, 2023
Unfortunately, the Scarlet Knights weren’t able to find the back of the net again and dropped the season opener to the Blue Hens.
Team Statistics
| RUT | DEL | |
| Goals | 2 | 3 |
| Shots | 17 | 9 |
| Shots on Goal | 8 | 6 |
| Saves | 3 | 6 |
| Corners | 4 | 5 |
| Offsides | 2 | 0 |
| Fouls | 9 | 10 |
Next Game
- August 28 at 7:30 PM EST vs St. John's
- Location: Yurcak Field
- Watch: Big Ten Plus
Rutgers Women’s Soccer Recap vs NC State
With the Scarlet Knights sitting at 1-1, Rutgers was hungry to get back in the win column. The starting nine was announced prior to the game as the Scarlet Knights were ready to hit the pitch.
These 11 are up first.
📺 https://t.co/8V4phdxYU6
📊 https://t.co/eh118jFZL5
📰 https://t.co/PDKgFQu0e8#WeNeverStop🧹#ForeverRutgers pic.twitter.com/aoVxlkWjLN— RUTGERS WOMEN’S SOCCER (@RUWSoccer) August 24, 2023
The Scarlet Knights got on the board early thanks to a pass from Allison Lynch to Sara Brocious who then crossed it to Allison Lowrey for the score. With just under 40 minutes left in the first half the Scarlet Knights had the 1-0 lead.
Allison Lynch & Sara Brocious assisted this Allison Lowrey goal in the 6th minute at NC State, helping us leave Raleigh with a 1-1 draw.#WeNeverStop🧹#ForeverRutgers pic.twitter.com/NSRE1Ovtdm
— RUTGERS WOMEN’S SOCCER (@RUWSoccer) August 25, 2023
Rutgers went into the locker room at halftime still with the 1-0 lead, and they continued to stay ahead until just under three minutes left in the second half. With 2:19 to play the Wolfpack netted the equalizer off of a corner kick header.
The equalizer from @AnnikaWohner 💪#GoPackBaby pic.twitter.com/gmFSjUFRuF
— PackWSoccer⚽️ (@PackWSoccer) August 25, 2023
An unfortunate result for Rutgers as the finish by NC State was very close to being saved. The Scarlet Knights would not be able to respond as they ended the match in a 1-1 draw. A very disappointing finish for the Scarlet Knights as they were less than three minutes from victory.
Team Statistics
| RUT | NC State | |
| Goals | 1 | 1 |
| Shots | 13 | 11 |
| Shots on Goal | 4 | 3 |
| Saves | 2 | 3 |
| Corners | 0 | 4 |
| Offsides | 3 | 3 |
| Fouls | 7 | 6 |
Next Game
- August 28 at 5:00 PM EST vs FDU
- Location: Yurcak Field
- Watch: Big Ten Plus
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