Box Score

CAMDEN, N.J. (Oct. 25, 2017) – With the final seconds counting down in regulation, the Rutgers University-Camden men's soccer team appeared destined to continue its long streak of reaching the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs.
 
Suddenly, disaster struck for the Scarlet Raptors and before they knew it, the Ospreys had rallied for an unlikely and stunning 2-1 victory in overtime.
 
The victory lifted the Ospreys to 13-3-4 overall and 4-3-2 in the NJAC, giving Stockton the fifth seed in the NJAC playoffs, which begin Saturday. Rutgers-Camden, which needed to win to reach the conference tournament, fell to 8-8-4 overall and 2-5-2 in the NJAC. The Scarlet Raptors will miss the NJAC playoffs for the first time since 2010.
 
Rutgers-Camden will await word of a possible berth in the ECAC Championships. That field that won't be filled until after conference tournaments are completed and the NCAA brackets are selected Nov. 5.
 
Sophomore forward Justin Ruiz (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) scored the game-winning goal 5:54 into the first overtime. He broke down the middle of the field one-on-one against Raptor goalie James Brett (Palmyra, NJ/Palmyra) and finished his fifth tally of the season into the left panel. Yet it was what got the game to that point that was particularly stunning for both teams.

Senior Night photo gallery
 
With less than a half minute remaining in regulation, the Scarlet Raptors held a 1-0 lead and were attempting to break up a last-gasp Osprey threat. With the Raptors trying to clear the ball at the top of the box, a bounce resulted in a handball, giving Stockton a penalty kick with 28 seconds remaining. Junior midfielder Eucario Solano (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) sent a shot to the left that was saved on a great play by Brett, yet the rebound popped back in the air in the middle of the box. Solano headed in the tying goal with 26 seconds left in regulation.
 
The turn of fortunes spoiled a fine effort by the Scarlet Raptors, who scored the game's first goal at 28:19 when junior back Darnell Brown (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) knocked in his fifth goal of the season from the goal line, following a long free kick by junior midfielder Vincenzo Masitti (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt).
 
The loss proved extra tough for the Raptors, who honored their 10 departing players before the game with a Senior Night celebration. Rutgers-Camden recognized the career contributions of Travis Chigi (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central), Anthony Cutillo (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee), Shane Guyer (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton), Brad Maine (Cherry Hill, NJ/Camden Catholic), Austin Marias (Medford, NJ/Shawnee), Aaron Muse (Lumberton, NJ/Rancocas Valley), Nkosi Punch (Edison, NJ/J.P. Stevens), Clayton Taylor (Mendham, NJ/West Morris-Mendham), Sean Welch (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) and Aaron Williams (Wollongong, Australia/Cedars Christian College).
 
The Scarlet Raptors finished with a 10-9 edge in shots, while Stockton had a 2-1 advantage in corner kicks. Stockton senior goalie Kellen Groover (Florence, NJ/Life Center Academy) made three saves, while Brett had two for the Scarlet Raptors.