Box Score

CAMDEN, N.J. (Sept. 28, 2016) – In the strange  New Jersey Athletic Conference series between the Rutgers University-Camden and The College of New Jersey men's soccer teams, it seems that no matter how the play flows on the pitch, the results always favor the home team.
 

Such was the case here Wednesday night as the Scarlet Raptors outlasted the Lions, 1-0, on their home turf despite turning away waves of attacks most of the night. Junior Shane Guyer (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) scored the game's lone goal late in the second half and sophomore James Brett (Palmyra, NJ/Palmyra) had an outstanding night with 14 saves to earn the shutout in the Rutgers-Camden goal.
 
The victory snaps the Raptors' two-game losing streak and lifts Rutgers-Camden to 5-2-2 overall and 2-1 in the NJAC. TCNJ falls to 5-4-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
 
Although the Lions lead the all-time series, 23-8-5, the recent results have been totally tilted toward the home team. In the last eight games of the series in Camden, the Scarlet Raptors own a 7-1 record against TCNJ. In the last seven games in Ewing, the Lions are 4-0-3 against the Scarlet Raptors.
 
Once again, the play on the field didn't mirror the final score. TCNJ had numerous scoring chances while outshooting Rutgers-Camden, 10-4, in the opening half and 13-4 in the final 45 minutes for a 23-8 advantage. The Lions also had a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks in the game. Fortunately for Rutgers-Camden, the defense held strong, led by senior center back Mike Naylor (Pine Hill, NJ/Overbrook Regional) and the outstanding play of Brett. Brett's 14 saves, several at point-blank range, tied his career high, set last season in the NJAC championship game as the Scarlet Raptors played to a 0-0 overtime tie against Montclair State University before winning the title on penalty kicks.
 
With the game still scoreless late in regulation, Guyer took a feed from senior back Dan Gilbert (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) and sent a shot from the left side of the box banking off the right post and into the net. His tally, at 77:22, was his third goal of the season and first game-winning goal.
 
While Brett made 14 saves, his counterpart, sophomore Dan Walsh (Waldwick, NJ/Waldwick) had five for the Lions.
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to NJAC action Saturday with a 1 p.m. game at Ramapo College.