NJ -RUTGERS

[Frank Cunha]

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Sophomore Dilly Duka (Montville, N.J.) scored two goals and freshman Gaetano Panuccio (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) added the game-winner as the Rutgers men's soccer team (3-1-1) rallied from an early deficit to hand No. 6 UC Santa Barbara (3-1-0) its first loss of the season on Friday night at Yurcak Field.

Despite the wet weather conditions, 1,112 fans braved steady rains to witness the Scarlet Knights put the first blemish on UC Santa Barbara's undefeated season. The Gauchos entered the contest 3-0 and was ranked nationally by several media outlets. The win was RU's first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 18 USF on Oct. 20, 2007.

"UC Santa Barbara is a great team," said head coach Bob Reasso. "[Chris] Pontius is very worthy of being a Hermann Trophy candidate. He was exceptional and they have good players all over the park."

"I proud of our guys," Reasso added. "This is a very young team and I think they grew up a lot tonight. It's a shame we had bad weather so we didn't have the crowd we should have, but I think these fans will be back to see this team play. I thought they were wonderful tonight."

The rain began several hours before the game and cast a relentless shower over the field throughout the match, creating a very slippery and unpredictable surface. With unsure footing, players were continually sliding across the soggy ground which affected either side's ability to get into a solid rhythm.

"Maybe the water helped us a little bit because it slowed their game down, but you still have to score goals and get down to business," said Reasso. "On the balance of play, I thought we were doing more passing than they were. They got their first goal because we didn't do a good job marking but after that, I thought we sorted everything out and we came out ahead."

UC Santa Barbara took a first-half lead on a goal by Alfonso Motagalvan in the 13th minute. The Gauchos maintained their lead into the intermission; however, Rutgers made a few adjustments during halftime and was able take over the play in the second half.

Three minutes into the second stanza, RU's halftime moves paid off as Duka evened the score at 1-1. Showing off his great ball handling ability and propensity to score goals, Duka dribbled past several defenders and delivered a shot from 20 yards out, past UCSB keeper Trond Helge Takset to tie the game.

"Once that goal went in, it lifted the team so much," said Reasso. "We evened things up and then it was down to heart. This is my 28th year at Rutgers and we've never had better chemistry. I've always had great guys and great teams all along but this is the best chemistry we've ever had."

UC Santa Barbara responded in the 68th minute with a goal from Danny Barrera to take a one-goal lead but it was short-lived as Duka again found the back of the net with the tying score in the 74th minute.

"Dilly was exceptional," said Reasso. "I thought there were two quality players out there tonight worthy of being Hermann Trophy candidates. Pontius was tremendous for them and if he's a Hermann Trophy candidate then Dilly certainly is too."

Rutgers was awarded a free kick from just outside the right side of the penalty area. Senior Kevin McFadden (Midlothian, Va.) stood over the offering but decided to lay it off to Duka who drove the shot low, through the wall and into goal as RU tied the game at 2-2.

"I've been working out extra, doing two-a-days with a few other players on the team and we knew we had to come into this game and be leaders," said Duka. "We're a young but we stepped up. We came together and won this game on all heart. This win is a huge confidence booster for us."

The Scarlet Knights continued to apply pressure on the Gauchos defense as RU controlled much of the possession in the second half and it was another set piece that helped provide the team with its game-winning score.

Sophomore Aly Mazhar (Cairo, Egypt) took a free kick outside the box and sent a line drive directly at the Gauchos' goalkeeper. Takset was able to get a hand on it and stop the initial shot from going in goal, but he was unable to corral the ball and maintain the tied game.

With the deflected shot lying just in front of the goal, Panuccio made a break for it and tapped home the first score of his young Scarlet Knight career.

"I was just there to finish the ball, my team made the goal happen," said Panuccio. "Aly [Mazhar] had a great strike, the goalie bobbled it and I was in the right spot to finish the ball. The goosebumps and butterflies I got were amazing. Anyway you win is exciting for me. I can't say enough about my team, we're brothers, we're a family and we fought for each other tonight. That's why we won the game. We played with heart and it's a great feeling to know that we can go out there and fight for each other."

Reasso was extremely pleased with the play of his young striker.

"Goal scoring instincts are not something you can coach," said Reasso. "You either have it or you don't. We didn't coach Gaetano to get in that position; he read the game and got himself in a position to finish. It's a credit to him, he's an outstanding young man and I thought he was tremendous tonight."

After ending its season-opening five-match homestand against UCSB, Rutgers will look to open BIG EAST action with a road game at Pittsburgh on Friday, Sept. 19. Reasso believes that the team's tough non-conference schedule has done well for preparing his squad for what lies ahead in a challenging conference slate.

"You can't find a better game than this to prepare for BIG EAST play," said Reasso. "I can't say enough about how well coached UCSB is and what a great team they are. We try to build the season up to a crescendo so that we have a tough matchup like this and then a week to prepare for the BIG EAST. You can ask for a better sendoff that this."


-- HEADLINES --
> Rutgers Upsets No. 6 UC Santa Barbara

> Rutgers Hosts No. 6 UC Santa Barbara Friday Night

> Rutgers, St. Peter’s Play to Scoreless Tie in Men’s Soccer Action

> Rutgers Mounts Rally But Falls Short to Towson 2-1

> Rutgers Hosts Towson Wednesday Night at Yurcak Field

> McFadden Paces Rutgers in 3-0 Win Over Manhattan

[Frank Cunha]

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers men's soccer team (3-1-1) will open its BIG EAST season this weekend when it travels to Founders Field to play the Pittsburg Panthers (4-1-1) on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m. The team will continue conference action on Sunday, Sept. 21, with a 12:00 p.m. match at Dick Dlesk Stadium, against the West Virginia Mountaineers (1-3-1).

"We have a big weekend ahead of us," said head coach Bob Reasso. "Pittsburg and West Virginia away is a tough task for any team in the country, let alone a young team like ours, going on the road for the first time. It will be a challenge to see how they'll deal with it but it's the kind of challenge I know the guys are looking forward to."

The Scarlet Knights' latest game resulted in an upset victory over nationally-ranked UC Santa Barbara, on Friday, Sept. 12, improving the team's overall record to 3-1-1. Two stars on the night were sophomore Dilly Duka (Montville, N.J) and freshman Gaetano Panuccio (Mechanicsburg, Pa.). Duka scored two goals, while Panuccio added the game-winner. Duka was selected to the BIG EAST honor roll on Monday and Panuccio was the BIG EAST Rookie of the Week.

RU is led Duka with four goals and senior Kevin McFadden (Midlothian, Va.), who has a team-high four assists on the season. Rutgers has received goals from six different players and assists from four different players.

Pittsburg hosts Rutgers Friday with its best start to a season since 2002, with a record of 4-1-1. The Panthers' four wins this season already surpass their victory total of three in 2007. Their most recent success, led by junior, Chris Wilcox, ended in double overtime victory against Western Michigan. Wilcox, along with three other players, Andy Kalas, Connor Malone, and Eric Jaeger, were named to the all-tournament team for their performances.

West Virginia will take on Villanova Friday, prior to Sunday's game against the Scarlet Knights. In its last action, the Mountaineers moved to 1-3-1 on the year, after having dominated St. Francis last Saturday, Sept. 13, at Dick Dlesk Stadium. Junior Ryan Gillespie capped off the win with a game-winner in the first overtime session, leading the Mountaineers into a 1-0 victory.


-- HEADLINES --
> No. 20 Rutgers Opens BIG EAST Action at Pitt, WVU

> Soccer America Ranks Rutgers 20th in Nation

> Rutgers Men’s Soccer Tops Ranked Foe, Two Scarlet Knights Honored

> Rutgers Upsets No. 6 UC Santa Barbara

> Rutgers Hosts No. 6 UC Santa Barbara Friday Night

> Rutgers, St. Peter’s Play to Scoreless Tie in Men’s Soccer Action

[Frank Cunha]

MORGANTOWN, W Va. – The Rutgers men's soccer team (3-2-2, 0-1-1 BIG EAST) closed out its first weekend of conference action with a 0-0 tie at West Virginia (1-3-3, 0-0-2 BIG EAST) on Sunday afternoon.

In what turned out to be a tightly-contested matchup, Rutgers and West Virginia were nearly identical in every statistically category as both teams, managed 10 shots opportunities apiece. RU held a 6-4 edge in corner kicks; while West Virginia recorded one more save than the Scarlet Knights (4-3).

"It was a good result for us on the road," said associate head coach Jeff Zaun. "It's been less than 48 hours since our last game and I thought the boys played great. It was a professional effort. The guys were disciplined, determined and this was as good a BIG EAST road game we've played in a while."

"West Virginia is a good young team and we're a good young team as well," Zaun added. "It was a hard-fought game between two of the best young teams in the BIGEAST."

Freshman Nye Winslow (Piscataway, N.J.) put a pair of shots on goal, while classmate Ibrahim Kamara (North Brunswick, N.J.) and sophomore Dilly Duka (Montville, N.J.) each took an attempt at putting the Scarlet Knights on the scoreboard.

Rutgers was without its head coach Bob Reasso for the second-straight game, as he remained in New Jersey with his family while mourning the loss of a family member.

"The guys came out today focused and determined to get a result for coach [Reasso] and his family," explained Zaun.

Zaun was extremely proud of the play on the field from the Scarlet Knights following their unfortunate letdown in the team's BIG EAST opener at Pittsburgh on Friday.

"The effort from the guys was incredible," said Zaun. "We played for the win and had some chances but unfortunately we didn't get the goal we needed. We'll take the tie because we need a result after Friday's game. If we continue to play [with that effort], we'll be in good shape the rest of the season."

Rutgers will return to Piscataway for its BIG EAST home opener against Georgetown on Friday, Sept. 26 at 8:00 p.m.

[Frank Cunha]

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – A goal in the 93rd minute broke a 1-1 tie as the Rutgers men's soccer team (3-3-2, 0-2-1 BIG EAST) was defeated 2-1 by No. 24 Georgetown (7-2-0, 2-2-0 BIG EAST) on Friday night at Yurcak Field.

"We didn't deserve to lose this one tonight," said head coach Bob Reasso. "We played very immature in the first 15 minutes and they didn't do what we told them. The coaching staff told them, it's a wet, slippery night, let's put some balls behind them and play smart. Sure enough we came out, played a ball square across the park, got pinched; they got a corner kick and then scored."

"It's a young team, they make mistakes but after that I thought we were absolutely exceptional. I thought the guys played really well and they controlled the game. The difference tonight was their goalkeeper. He had 10 saves on the night and I thought there were three that were not good saves, but three phenomenal saves."

In the game's opening minutes, Georgetown took an early 1-0 lead as Mark Zeman found Robert Burnett for a header with just 1:49 ticking off the clock. The Hoyas carried their one goal advantage into the locker room at halftime, but the Scarlet Knights regrouped in the second half and managed to even the score.

The Rutgers offensive attack applied steady pressure on Georgetown's defense as RU held a 20-13 edge in the shots category and forced Hoyas goalkeeper Mark Wilber to 10 saves, including several diving stops.

In the 49th minute, the Scarlet Knights were awarded a free kick which eventually led to the game-tying score. Sophomore Aly Mazhar (Cairo, Egypt) sent a shot into the box that sailed just over the outstretched hands of Wilber. The shot deflected off the crossbar and bounced straight down over the goal line to make the score 1-1.

Both teams continued to battle for the remainder of the contest with Rutgers controlling much of the play in the second half, including 11 shots after the intermission. The Scarlet Knights had a chance to take over the lead and possibly the win when they were credited with a penalty kick in the 68th minute. Senior Kevin McFadden (Midlothian, Va.) stepped into the box and took the offering, however, the shot traveled just over the crossbar, canceling out one of RU's prime scoring opportunities.

The score remained knotted at 1-1 for the completion of regulation. Georgetown found its game winner three minutes into the overtime period as Zeman again found a teammate for the go-ahead goal. The junior defender sent a cross into the box which was headed in by Peter Grasso for the victory-clinching score.

"I'm not happy about the marking but I'm proud of them," said Reasso. "We have to let this disappointment fuel our enthusiasm for Sunday [against Seton Hall]. We have to come out and play the same way on Sunday and get a result. That's two games in a row that we've outplayed opponents and we tied one and lost one. That's not what you need to do if you're going to move on in the BIG EAST."

"But it's also a very young team and these are the ways you learn. You have to make mistakes unfortunately to learn. When these boys grow up, they're not going to be a good team; they're going to be exceptional."

The Scarlet Knights will return to action on Sunday, Sept. 28, when they host in-state and BIG EAST rival Seton Hall at 5:00 p.m. at Yurcak Field.

[Frank Cunha]

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (October 2, 2008) – After a week of intense training, the Rutgers men’s soccer team (4-3-2, 1-2-1 BIG EAST) returns to action this Saturday against Red Division foe DePaul (3-4-2, 2-2-0 BIG EAST) at 7:00 p.m. at Yurcak Field.

“DePaul is a good team,” said head coach Bob Reasso. “They won our side of the division last year.

“We lost to them in overtime last year [in Chicago] and their keeper was the difference in that game. We were alone with him five times during the game and he stopped us every time. I thought he was absolutely exceptional. He’s the best keeper in the conference and they have a lot of good players all over the park. They’ve done a very good job developing their program but we have them at home and we think we’re a match for everybody at home.”

The Scarlet Knights earned their first conference victory this past weekend with a thrilling come-from-behind 2-1 win over in-state rival Seton Hall (Sept. 28). The Pirates took a 1-0 lead early in the second half, before RU would respond with two goals from its dynamic sophomore Dilly Duka (Montville, N.J.). Duka, who has three two-goal performances on the season, tallied the equalizer and game-winner within two minutes of each other to lead Rutgers to victory.

The talented midfielder ranks first on the team with six goals, while six other Scarlet Knights – freshmen Sam Archer (Queens, N.Y.), Gaetano Panuccio (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), Ibrahim Kamara (North Brunswick, N.J.) and Jimmy Simon (Leavenworth, Kan.), and sophomores Josh Carroll (Cheyenne, Wyo.) and Aly Mazhar (Cairo, Egypt) – have one goal apiece on the year.

Senior Kevin McFadden (Midlothian, Va.) leads Rutgers with six assists, followed by Archer with two and Mazhar and Panuccio, who have one each have one.

DePaul split its two previous BIG EAST matchups, falling to West Virginia 2-0 before bouncing back to defeat Pittsburgh 1-0. The Blue Demons are led by Steffen Vroom who has two goals on the season, followed by Erich Reichmann with one goal. Vroom is also tied with John Kornfeld for the team lead in assists with one apiece. Starting goalkeeper Brian Visser has done his share to keep DePaul competitive with five shutouts which is tied for fourth in the conference.

Following Saturday’s contest, the Scarlet Knights will embark on a five-match road trip with games at Villanova (Oct. 8), Syracuse (Oct. 11), Princeton (Oct. 15), Cincinnati (Oct. 18) and NJIT (Oct. 22).

[Frank Cunha]

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Senior goalkeeper Amir Haghshenas (Wyckoff, N.J.) posted three saves as Rutgers finished in a scoreless tie with DePaul, Saturday night at Yurcak Field. The Scarlet Knights (4-3-3, 1-2-2) held a 19-7 advantage in shots over the Blue Demons (3-4-3, 2-2-1), but could not finish their opportunities.

"We are disappointed we dropped two points," said head coach Bob Reasso. "I thought we had many opportunities to win the game. We were alone with the goalkeeper a few times, and we were alone with an empty net once but we hit it over the top. We're a young team and we're not finishing, unfortunately, and we paid for it. There are a lot of positives that we can take from tonight, we got a shutout, but it's disappointing that it's a one-point game and not a three-point game."

After a slow first half, Rutgers picked up the pace in the second stanza, finishing with 11 shots to DePaul's three. Late in the period RU had two good chances to score, first with 10 minutes to go when sophomore Dilly Duka (Montville, N.J.) split three defenders and passed the ball to senior Kevin McFadden (Midlothian, Va.), who was all alone on the right side. But Blue Demons keeper Brian Visser was up to the task, stopping McFadden's point-blank shot.

Five minutes later in the stanza, sophomore Aly Mazhar (Cairo, Egypt) kicked a laser shot from 40-yards out that hit the crossbar and bounced to McFadden, who was again alone in front of the goal. But the senior's shot sailed high and the game went to overtime.

After each team took only one shot in the first extra session, Rutgers again picked up the attack in the second overtime. With four minutes to play, Duka ran down a ball on the left side, driving past two defenders and sending a low liner from 10-yards out, but Visser was able to make the stop. Then with 15 seconds to go, Duka had another opportunity from 20-yards away, but his shot was blocked.

"I thought that DePaul came here trying to just get a point," said Reasso. "We tried to press them as much as possible but we didn't create enough good chances. They have a very good goalkeeper and he made six saves. If you make a keeper post six saves that means you're stretching them a little bit, but at the end of the day we should have won that game."

Rutgers will return to action on Oct. 8 at 4:00 p.m., when it travels to face Villanova in the first of five road-games.

"We will be on the road for five games, so maybe the team will play better away from home," said Reasso. "Sometimes young teams in their home stadium it's a little more intimidating at times, so maybe be on the road will let us cut loose a little bit."