UNION, N.J. (Oct. 25, 2025) – The Kean University men's soccer program has given Rutgers-Camden trouble over the years and that trend continued here Saturday as the Cougars defeated the Scarlet Raptors, 2-1, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game.
 
The loss dropped the Scarlet Raptors to 7-7-3 overall and 4-3-1 in the NJAC, dropping them from third in the conference standings to fifth, with one more game remaining in the regular season. They host NJAC co-leading Montclair State Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a Senior Night game.
 
Kean improves to 3-12-3 overall and 2-4-2 in the NJAC.
 
Kean defeated Rutgers-Camden in the last six games of the series, dating back to a 2-2 tie in Union in 2019. The last Rutgers-Camden win in the series came with a 1-0 victory in Camden in 2018 and the Scarlet Raptors haven't won at Kean since 2013.
 
Kean leads the all-time series, 16-36-2.
 
The Cougars took the lead for good in the 17th minute when fifth-year forward Donte East scored on a high shot to the left side of the net. He was assisted by senior defender David Esteban Camargo.
 
Kean doubled its lead with an own goal at 54:38 before the Scarlet Raptors broke onto the scoreboard. Sophomore midfielder Nik Grello notched his fifth goal of the season with a low shot to the center of the net. He was assisted by sophomore midfielder Dylan Pino, who picked up his fourth assist of the season.
 
The Scarlet Raptors applied plenty of pressure the rest of the way in their bid to tie the game. They launched seven more shots, with three being saved and two blocked.
 
Kean finished with an 18-17 edge in shots, but Rutgers-Camden held an 11-6 advantage in the second half. The Scarlet Raptors had a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.
 
Junior Aleksander Nycz made six saves in the Raptor goal playing the first 54:38, while junior Chris Clune went the rest of the way, making three saves. Sophomore Jaxon Mast made seven saves in the Kean goal.
 
The Scarlet Raptors close the regular season Wednesday night when they host #18-ranked Montclair State University in another NJAC game at 7 p.m. The Scarlet Raptors also will celebrate Senior Night for nine departing players prior to that game.