CAMDEN, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's soccer team traveled Rutgers-Camden University where the squad was out-shot and ultimately overthrown by the hosting Scarlet Raptors. Rutgers-Camden dominated the field, walking away victorious with a 4-1 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) win over the Gothic Knights on Saturday, Oct. 16.

The Gothic Knights (8-7-1, 0-7 NJAC) could not keep up with the force of the Scarlet Raptors (7-6-2, 3-4 NJAC), resulting in a 4-1 loss. Jersey City managed a total of seven shots, as opposed to the Scarlet Raptors' 17. The host team started the game quick with a goal in the first two minutes. NJCU sophomore Maximo Vargas (Montevideo, Uruguay/The British Schools) took a shot on goal in the 15th minute but was saved by the Rutgers-Camden goalkeeper. Jersey City sophomore Jorkaef Fallas (North Bergen, N.J./Hudson Catholic) also had a shot opportunity but missed high. The Green and Gold squad took a corner kick in the last five minutes of the half, resulting in a header shot by junior Christopher Castillo (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech) that went high. Castillo ended the half with a second shot that also missed high.

NJCU kicked off the momentum of the second half with a header shot by Vargas, who missed wide. The Scarlet Raptors responded with their own shot on goal but was unable to get passed NJCU senior goalkeeper Aldahir Cazun (Jersey City, N.J./William L. Dickinson). Cazun made a total of eight saves throughout the contest. The Gothic Knights seemed to find their rhythm following a successful corner kick that led sophomore Anthony Salmeron (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen) to score right off the goal line. Salmeron was assisted by fellow sophomore Thiago Duarte (Newark, N.J./Newark East Side), who took the corner kick.

Intensity rose as the teams were now tied up – Cazun made another two saves, making it his fourth and fifth of the afternoon. Unfortunately, Rutgers-Camden was able to put the third one passed, following the rebound of Cazun's second save in the 57th minute. Within five minutes, the Scarlet Raptors found the ball once again and scored their third goal of the game. The home team now led NJCU 3-1. In the 74th minute, NJCU rookie Miguel Rodriguez (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) managed to get a shot on goal but was saved by the Scarlet Raptors' goalkeeper. In the last 10 minutes, Rutgers-Camden scored its fourth and final goal of the game. Jersey City was unable to catch up from the 4-1 trail.

UP NEXT:
The Gothic Knights will return home this Saturday, Oct. 23, for Senior Day at 1:00 p.m. at Robert L. McNulty Memorial Field. In celebration of their graduating classes, come out to support NJCU as Jersey City takes on Ramapo College. Watch all the action live on GothicVision.