CAMDEN, N.J. (March 17, 2021) – The Rutgers University-Camden women's soccer program has been steadily climbing the ladder in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and this season's Scarlet Raptors proved they are a force to be reckoned with as they made an impressive debut in their home opener Wednesday night.
 
Rutgers-Camden posted its second consecutive shutout to start the season as it blanked New Jersey City University, 2-0, to raise its record to 2-0 overall and in the NJAC. It marked the first time since 2008 that Rutgers-Camden had wins in its first two games.
 
NJCU falls to 0-2 overall and in the NJAC.
 
The Scarlet Raptors dominated the game, outshooting the visitors 10-3 and holding the Gothic Knights without a shot in the second half. Rutgers-Camden also had both corner kicks in the game and forced NJCU junior goalie Cidney Lee-Sam to make five saves. The Scarlet Raptors split the game between freshman goalies Kayla McKeever and Chloe Beasley, with McKeever making the lone save in the first half as she picked up her first collegiate win. The two keepers have combined on two shutouts this season and both own 1-0 records.
 
Rutgers-Camden scored the only goal it needed early in the first half after junior midfielder Lindsay Hernandez played a ball forward to freshman midfielder Hailey Gould, who touched a pass to sophomore forward Mya Bocchicchio in the box. Bocchicchio finished off her first career goal at 8:20.
 
Hernandez added an unassisted insurance goal at 69:04. The trio of Hernandez, Gould and Bocchicchio all share the team scoring lead after two games, with one goal and one assist apiece for three points.
 
Defensively, the strong back four of juniors Breana Winder, Sophia Spadano and Lindsey Rucci, along with freshman India Barnes shut down nearly every NJCU threat. The Gothic Knights had only one shot on goal off a restart late in the first half.
 
The Scarlet Raptors return to action Saturday when they host Stockton University at 1 p.m.