CAMDEN, N.J. (Oct. 17, 2019) – The fierce soccer rivalry between Rutgers University-Camden and Rowan University always brings out the intensity in the two teams, and especially when first place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference is on the line, as it was here Thursday night.
 
In a game played at breakneck speed, the Scarlet Raptors handed the nationally-ranked Profs their first shutout defeat of the season as Rutgers-Camden moved into sole possession of first place in the NJAC with a 2-0 victory.
 
The Scarlet Raptors improve to 11-4-1 overall and 4-1-1 in conference play. Rowan, ranked No. 18 in the D3soccer.com Top 25 and No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches Division III Top 25 polls this week, falls to 7-3-3 overall and 3-2-1 in the NJAC.
 
In perhaps their finest outing of the season, the Scarlet Raptors out-shot the Profs, 16-9, and used their speed to create numerous scoring chances. The margin of victory could have been greater, as the Raptors hit the post three times and were denied another great scoring opportunity inside the box.
 
Rutgers-Camden scored a goal in each half, including a first-half strike by talented sophomore midfielder Kaito Kitazawa shortly before halftime. Kitazawa, who saw one of his shots hit off the right post in the 13th minute, scored his second goal of the year at 43:25 after a scramble in the box saw the ball pop out to him on the top right side of the 18-yard area. He drilled a shot into the top left side, breaking the scoreless deadlock only 1:35 before halftime.
 
Rutgers-Camden held a 9-4 advantage in shots while playing with a strong wind in the opening half and the Raptors kept up the pressure in the second half playing against the wind. Junior forward Skyler Diggs hit the right post in the 47th minute and later had a golden chance cleared in the box. In the 59th minute, sophomore forward Joni Gjyleri hit a shot off the top of the left post. The Raptors finally added their insurance goal at 67:40 when a blocked shot bounded to senior forward Cristian Ognibene near the top center of the area. He deposited a high shot into the center of the net for his second goal of the season.
 
Raptor junior keeper Kieran Burns made four saves to earn the shutout, while receiving strong support up and down the lineup. Rowan junior keeper James Weinberg finished with two saves.
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to action with another NJAC game Saturday when the Scarlet Raptors host Ramapo College at 1 p.m.