JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Emmanuel Atorkui (Union, N.J./Northstar Academy) and Christan Palmer (Union, N.J./Union) each scored a goal in the heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, October 26.

NJCU (6-9-3, 0-8) had its senior day spoiled by Rutgers-Newark (7-6-4, 2-2-4). Both teams tallied 11 shots, but the Scarlet Raiders edged out the Gothic Knights 7-3 in shots on goal. Palmer led the Gothic Knights with four shots, putting two on frame while Dominic Cunha (Rahway, N.J./Rahway) made four saves.

The Scarlet Raiders opened the scoring in the 9th minute when Brandon Castro capitalized on an opening to put Rutgers-Newark ahead 1-0. NJCU quickly went on the offensive after that early goal and sent three shots toward goal, forcing Khalid Kwaik to make a save. Defensively, the Gothic Knights remained stout, holding Rutgers-Newark to just one shot for the remainder of the first half.

NJCU leveled the game at one three minutes into the second stanza. Atorkui found the back of the net off a pass from Jona Caballero (Union City, N.J./Jose Marti STEM Academy) in the 48th minute. The Gothic Knights doubled its tally in the 61st minute when Palmer netted his 4th goal of the season off of a pass from Atorkui. The Gothic Knights dropped down to 10 men in the 66th minute when Jonathan Diaz (Clifton, N.J./Clifton) picked up his second yellow card of the game. The Scarlet Raiders quickly took advantage and picked up their second goal of the game from Lowen Gabriel. Cards continued to play a role in the game as the Gothic Knights had another player, Denilson Salinas (Callao, Peru/Kearny), pick up a second yellow to bring NJCU down to 9 men. The shorthanded Gothic Knights absorbed wave after wave of attacks by the Scarlet Raiders and nearly held on until Jonah Dias beat Cunha in the 90th minute to give the Scarlet Raiders a 3-2 win.   

Up Next:
The Gothic Knights close out their season on Wednesday, October 30 when they host William Paterson at 3:00 p.m.

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