CAMDEN, N.J. (Sept. 2, 2023) – Although its soccer season has barely started, the Rutgers-Camden women's team has already accomplished a rare feat in the program's history after shutting out King's College, 3-0, here Saturday in the Cialella Soccer Classic.
 
The shutout was the second straight to open the season for the 2-0 Scarlet Raptors. Although they opened the shortened 2020 pandemic season with five consecutive shutouts in a strange season played in the spring of 2021, the Scarlet Raptors hadn't posted two shutouts to open a full season since 2008.
 
Rutgers-Camden didn't waste any time taking the lead for good. Only 2:54 into the game, junior forward Emily Owens ran onto a through ball into the box and finished off her first goal of the season. Owens, who later notched her team-leading second assist of the year, was assisted by a perfect pass from junior midfielder Alyson Petro.
 
Junior midfielder Lindsey Rodzon made it a 2-0 game in the 41st minute, hustling to chase down a loose ball on the left side of the box and drilling a shot into the right panel. For Rodzon, a multi-sport star who was an all-conference pitcher in softball, it was her first collegiate goal.
 
The Scarlet Raptors wrapped up the scoring in the 81st minute when Owens and sophomore forward Maresa Savarese combined on a beautiful give-and-go goal, with Owens assisting on a tap in by Savarese. The goal allowed Savarese to take the team scoring lead with two goals and one assist for five points.
 
Rutgers-Camden out-shot King's, 11-7, in the game, including 7-1 in the opening half. The Monarchs held a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.
 
Raptor junior goalie Michaela Graham finished with four saves, all in the second half, to earn the shutout. King's keeper Aspen Wallin made three saves.
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Wednesday at 7 p.m. with a home game against Albright College.