Rutgers Downs Syracuse, 2-1

Thursday, October 20

Piscataway, NJ

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

Rutgers

Senior Phil Boerger had two saves in the match at Rutgers.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

10/20/2011 2:58:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Score By Period	1st	2nd	Final
Syracuse	0	1	1
Rutgers	0	2	2
Box Score Oct. 20, 2011 \| Yurcak Field / Piscataway, N.J. \| Attendance: 209

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers (8-5-1, 5-1-0) scored the game-winning goal with eight minutes remaining to hand Syracuse (2-10-1, 0-5-1) a 2-1 loss at Yurcak Field on Thursday, Oct. 20. Freshman Nathan Bruccoleri recorded the game-winner for the Scarlet Knights.

Neither team recorded a goal in an evenly-played first half. Both sides recorded four shots in the opening 45 minutes. Syracuse tallied one shot on goal, while the host Scarlet Knights registered none.

Junior Louis Clark created SU's best offensive chance of the first half in the 34th minute, but Rutgers junior keeper Kevin McMullen made his only save of the period on Clark's attempt. In the 40th minute, SU had another decent opportunity when junior Lars Muller crossed the ball to a streaking Clark. Clark could not collect the pass and the score remained 0-0 at the break.

In the second half, both teams became more aggressive in the final third. A shot by SU senior Federico Agreda was turned away by McMullen in the 54 minute. Rutgers responded with its own offensive chance, but senior Paulie Calafiore's shot was stopped by Orange senior goalkeeper Phil Boerger.

In the 56th minute, the Scarlet Knights eventually broke the scoreless tie on a header from senior Ibrahim Kamara. After a scrum in front of the Syracuse goal, Kamara collected the ball and headed it past a diving Boerger.

Down one goal, the Orange searched for the equalizer. SU had a great chance off a corner kick from freshman Grant Chong in the 61st minute. Muller collected the corner in front of the Rutgers goal, but the shot was knocked away by a Scarlet Knights defender. In the 74th minute, junior Ted Cribley broke free and had a one-on-one chance in front of the Rutgers goal, however, McMullen was there again to keep the Orange off the board. After a cross from Clark in the 78th minute, freshman Nick Perea put a shot on goal, but McMullen once again was up to the challenge.

In the 81st minute, Syracuse finally tied the game on a strike from Perea. After a failed clear by the Scarlet Knights, Perea collected the ball and deposited a shot into the top right-hand corner of the goal. The tally was Perea's first career goal and represented his second and third points of the season.

The game wasn't tied long as the Scarlet Knights reclaimed the advantage one minute later. Bruccoleri received a pass from sophomore Kene Eze and scored past Boerger to give the hosts a 2-1 lead it never surrendered.

Syracuse senior Dan Summers had a chance to tie the game late, but the shot was smothered by McMullen.

Rutgers finished with a 13-11 shot advantage for the game. Boerger had two saves in the match. McMullen made five saves to earn the victory.

Syracuse hosts Cincinnati in its next match on Saturday, Oct. 21. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the SU Soccer Stadium. Prior to the game, the men's soccer program will recognize this year's senior class in a brief on-field ceremony.

Match Notes: Thursday's game was originally scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 19, but was postponed due to inclement weather … Perea became the third SU freshman to tally a goal this season.