CHESTER, Pa. (Sept. 5, 2022) – The Rutgers University-Camden scored one goal in each half and hung on to defeat Widener University, 2-1, here Monday to record its first victory of the season.
 
The Scarlet Raptors, who had suffered shutout defeats against Arcadia and Swarthmore to start the season, notched their first goal of the year in the 25th minute. Freshman Grant Williams sent a ball into the box from the left touchline and senior Boluwatife Sanya finished the play from the doorstep. For Sanya, in his second year with the Scarlet Raptors, it was his first Rutgers-Camden goal, coming at 24:51.
 
The Raptors added what proved to be the game-winning goal on a strike from grad student Liam Craver at 70:21. The midfielder's high shot to the left side of the net was the second game-winning goal of his career, giving the Raptors a 2-0 lead. It proved to be a huge insurance goal, as Widener struck back shortly afterward when sophomore Monsif Atify spoiled the Raptor shutout bid with a goal at 71:43.
 
Widener finished with a 9-4 advantage in shots, including 4-2 on goal, and a 6-4 lead in corner kicks. Raptor sophomore goalie Sean Boen made three saves to post the win, while Widener junior keeper Ryan Van Pelt didn't get a save.
 
The Scarlet Raptors play their home opener Saturday when they host Whitman College of Walla Walla, Washington in a 12 p.m. game to open a two-day Cialella Soccer Classic. They face Stevenson University at 1 p.m. Sunday.