CAMDEN, N.J. (Sept. 10, 2022) – The annual Cialella Soccer Classic at Rutgers University-Camden was changed this season from a two-day, four-team affair to single games on back-to-back days.
 
Despite fewer games, there was no lack of action on the opening day here Saturday as the Scarlet Raptor men outlasted Whitman College, 2-1, in a non-conference game that saw both teams control the action for extended periods.
 
The victory evens Rutgers-Camden's record at 2-2 with their second straight win. Whitman, a team from Walla Walla, Washington that is out east for a three-game swing, falls to 3-2, ending a three-game winning streak. They beat John Jay in New York on Thursday (5-1) and close their trip at Stockton University Sunday.
 
After Whitman came out strong early in the game, the Scarlet Raptors broke the scoreless deadlock at 26:07 after sophomore midfielder Ethan Dreyer carried the ball down the right side and crossed to senior Boluwatife Sanya in the box. Sanya continued the play with a feed to senior Khari Shepherd at the doorstep for his first goal of the season.
 
The Scarlet Raptors added another goal in the 31st minute after a shot by Sanya was stopped on a fine save by Whitman sophomore keeper Colby Ramsey. The rebound fell to the box for Raptor freshman Tommy Monaghan, whose first career collegiate goal turned out to be the game winner.
 
After the Scarlet Raptors seemed to have things under control, Whitman got back into the game after a takedown in the box gave the Blues a penalty kick. Sophomore Jossue Tobar converted the shot in the 60th minute to make it a one-goal game and bring his team to life. Whitman pressured for the tying goal the rest of the way, but Rutgers-Camden weathered the storm to even its early-season record.
 
The Scarlet Raptors outshot the Blues, 9-8, while both teams had four corner kicks. Ramsey made five saves, all in the opening half, while Raptor sophomore keeper Sean Boen finished with four saves, two in each half.
 
The Scarlet Raptors play Stevenson University at 1 p.m. Sunday to wrap up the two-day Cialella Soccer Classic.