Rutgers men’s soccer won its season opener against the Providence Friars by a score of 1-0 at Yurcak Field on Thursday night. Dan Karsten scored his first Rutgers goal after transferring in from Lipscomb University, which was a penalty kick in the 46th minute. That goal was all Rutgers needed to secure the season-opening victory and send the Scarlet Knights to 1-0 on the season.
The first half was scoreless on both sides, but Rutgers created more chances, with six shots compared to Providence’s two.
Junior defender Erick Ruiz nearly scored for Rutgers just 19 seconds into the game, but the shot was saved by Providence’s goalkeeper Ryan Carney. A cross from defender Devon Stopek into the box found midfielder Timo Jansen at his feet, but Jansen was unable to get off a powerful shot, and it was saved by Carney.
Former Scarlet Knight Ian Abbey recorded the Friars’ first shot with less than 15 minutes in the first half, before Rutgers forward Andrew Kitch missed a one-time open look at the net by a few inches outside the right post. To start the second half, sophomore midfielder/attacker Lenny Aviles was tackled while trying to pressure Carney, resulting in a penalty kick being awarded, which led to Karsten’s goal.
Karsten buried the penalty shot down the middle with his left foot as Carney dove to his right at the last second, which put the Scarlet Knights up 1-0. The Friars’ closest opportunity to tie the game came near the penalty shot, which saw the ball find the back of the net, but the goal was ruled offside and confirmed by VAR. Near the end of the game, Rutgers had several opportunities to double their lead, but was unable to score again.
Rutgers dominated the game across statistical categories, with a 15-5 advantage in shots, a 7-1 advantage in shots on goal, and having seven corner kicks to the Friars’ two. Goalkeeper Ciaran Dalton made one save and now sits 10th all-time in program history with 172 saves for his career. The Scarlet Knights have now won six out of their past seven season openers, including the last couple of seasons.
Rutgers men’s soccer will be back in action on the road at in-state rival Seton Hall on Sunday, August 24th at 8 PM. It will be the first of four road games for the Scarlet Knights, with Rutgers set to visit James Madison, William & Mary, and Princeton before returning home to battle Penn State on September 12th.
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