Box Score

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – The Rutgers University-Camden men's soccer team has returned to New Jersey Athletic Conference play and the Scarlet Raptors are starting to pick up where they left off the last few years.
 
The three-time defending conference champions saw three players collect their first career goals as they rolled past New Jersey City University, 3-0, here Saturday afternoon.
 
Rutgers-Camden improves to 6-4 overall and 2-0 in the NJAC, while New Jersey City falls to 1—7-3 and 0-2.
 
The Scarlet Raptors have gone 8-0-4 in their last 12 meetings against the Gothic Knights and lead the all-time series, 22-8-8.
 
Rutgers-Camden scored the only goal it needed at 25:38 when senior back Nick DiNapoli (Bernardsville, NJ/Bernards) soared high in the middle of the box to head home a restart by junior midfielder Grant Taylor (Mendham, NJ/West Morris-Mendham). It was the second assist of the season for Taylor, and only the start of the impact his family had on the scoring.
 
Early in the second half, Grant's younger brother, freshman Clayton Taylor (Mendham, NJ/West Morris-Mendham) added his first career goal to DiNapoli's first goal. Clayton Taylor scored on a leaping header inside the right post off a cross from the left wing by junior midfielder Connor Hurff (Sewell, NJ/St. Augustine Prep). It was the team-leading fourth assist of the season for Hurff.
 
The Raptors' final goal came off the foot of another freshman, midfielder Steve Karakitsios (Sicklerville, NJ/Timber Creek) at 80:40. Junior forward Mike Ryan (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) sent a cross on the ground across the box from the right side. Karakitsios finished it with a shot off the hands of NJCU junior keeper Tyler Krychkowski (North Arlington, NJ/North Arlington).
 
It was the second assist of the season for Ryan and lifted his career scoring output to 99 points (44 goals, 11 assists). With one more point, he will become only the fourth player in program history to reach 100 points.
 
Rutgers-Camden out-shot NJCU, 22-12, while the Gothic Knights held a 2-1 edge in corner kicks. Krychkowski made seven saves for NJCU, while Rutgers-Camden sophomore goalie Eric Bumbera (Wall, NJ/Wall) had two saves in 80:40 of action. Freshman Sean Matias (Vineland, NJ/Millville) finished up the game and didn't need to make a save in the combined shutout.
 
Both teams return to NJAC action with road games Wednesday. Rutgers-Camden plays a 7 p.m. contest at Rowan University, while NJCU visits Kean University for a 7:30 p.m. game.