Box Score

CAMDEN, N.J. – For much of its New Jersey Athletic Conference First-Round playoff game here Saturday, the three-time defending NJAC champion Rutgers University-Camden men's soccer team was on the defensive.
 
With one quick strike in overtime, however, the third-seeded Scarlet Raptors defeated sixth-seeded William Paterson University, 1-0. Rutgers-Camden advances to the NJAC semifinals, where it will play a 7:30 p.m. game Tuesday at second-seeded Rutgers-Newark.

 
In Saturday's other first-round game, fourth-seeded Kean edged No. 5 Richard Stockton, 1-0. The Cougars will play a semifinal game Tuesday at top-seeded Montclair State University.
 
Rutgers-Camden was out-shot, 19-5, through regulation play, but the Scarlet Raptors had the only two shots – producing the only goal of the game – early in the first overtime. Senior midfielder Joe Auleta (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) fired a shot from outside the box that was saved on a diving play by Paterson sophomore goalie Mike Diacheysn (Nutley, NJ/Nutley) near the left post. The ball bounded toward the far post and junior midfielder Connor Hurff (Sewell, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) streaked in from the right side to finish the game with his fifth goal of the season. His goal came only 2:27 into overtime.
 
The victory lifts Rutgers-Camden to 12-7-1, while Paterson falls to 9-8-2. It was the Scarlet Raptors' second win over the Pioneers in Camden this season, with the first coming by a 3-1 score on Sept. 24. Rutgers-Camden leads the all-time series, 15-12-7, including six straight wins and a 7-0-2 mark in the last nine games.
 
For most of the game, it looked like Paterson would break that streak as the Pioneers out-shot the Raptors, 8-3, in the first half and 11-2 in the second half. They also held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks, but couldn't find the net.
 
Rutgers-Camden freshman goalie Sean Matias (Vineland, NJ/Millville) made a career-high nine saves and also was aided by a backsave to keep the game scoreless. His previous high was five saves in a 2-1 win over Rutgers-Newark Oct. 25. Matias raised his record to 4-1-1 while posting his third career shutout.
 
Diacheysn finished with four saves, including the one on Auleta's overtime shot that led to Hurff's game-winning goal.
 
The Scarlet Raptors have now won seven consecutive NJAC playoff games over the last four seasons, which were capped by three straight conference crowns from 2011-13.
 
Auleta, meanwhile, was playing in his 92nd career game at Rutgers-Camden and extending his own program mark with his 91st consecutive start. He will tie the program record of 93 career games, held by Mitch Grotti (2010-13) on Tuesday night at Rutgers-Newark. His assist on the goal, meanwhile, was his team-leading eighth of the season and his 25th career assist, moving him into third place alone on the all-time list. He is one shy of second-place Shane McGrory (2007-10) and three shy of record-holder Mike Zeno (1992-95).