CAMDEN, N.J. (Oct. 23, 2024) – The Rutgers University-Camden men's soccer not only clinched a berth in the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs here Wednesday night, but the Scarlet Raptors also put themselves in a good position to host a first-round game on Nov. 2.
 
With a 2-1 victory over William Paterson University, the Scarlet Raptors moved into sole possession of third place in the conference, raising their mark to 8-5-4 overall and 4-1-2 in the NJAC. With two games remaining, including a 1 p.m. home game against Kean University Saturday, the Scarlet Raptors are three points ahead of the tie for fourth place between Ramapo College and Stockton University.
 
William Paterson dropped to 7-7-3 overall and 1-6 in the conference.
 
Rutgers-Camden scored a pair of first-half goals, with sophomore midfielder/forward Rohan Castillo getting the Raptors on the board at 17:25, assisted by freshman forward Dylan Pino. Pino carried the ball into the left corner and across the end line before cutting it back to Castillo in the box, who fired in his second goal of the season.
 
In the 30th minute, junior back Grant Williams scored his first career goal on a terrific bicycle kick in the box, banging the ball off the far left post. That goal proved to be the winner, as Paterson's junior forward Dylan Nahas scored in the 58th minute, assisted by junior back Jimmy Bruno.
 
Rutgers-Camden finished with an 11-10 edge in shots and an 8-3 margin in corner kicks.
 
Both Raptor senior goalie Sean Boen and Pioneer junior keeper Luca Misko made one save apiece.
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Wednesday with a 7 p.m. home NJAC match against William Paterson University.