No. 22 Rutgers men’s soccer remains unbeaten with 2-1 win over Saint Peter’s

The Rutgers men’s soccer team continued its winning ways on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory over Saint Peter’s at Yurcak Field. It’s the program’s longest unbeaten streak to start a season since 1985.

The Scarlet Knights broke through in the 22nd minute as Pablo Avila and Jackson Temple connected down the left sideline, as the freshman scored his team leading fourth goal of the season.

On his goal, Temple said “I got the ball from Pablo (Ávila) and I had the chance to turn. I trusted Pablo when he had guys on him and played him and knew he would figure out a creative way to get it back to me. We’re happy and feel we could have played better this game, but winning is good and we’re making it happen.”

After heading into the break with a 1-0 lead, Rutgers scored again as Avila was able to finish off a pass from Thomas DeVizio to put the Scarlet Knights up front with a multiple goal advantage.

However, the Peacocks ruined the shutout one minute later with a goal from Jordan Jowers off an assist from Dominic Laws. Goalie Oren Asher made a critical save from six yards out minutes later to prevent Saint Peter’s from tying the game. The Rutgers defense clamped down the rest of the way to preserve the 2-1 victory. Asher finished with three saves in the win.

Rutgers held a 12-10 shot advantage but the visitors held a 4-3 edge in corners, with all of them coming in the second half.

“We’re almost halfway through the season and to be undefeated is something that we should be proud of. Every game is tough, every win is tough, but happy to be where we are right now. These Tuesday games in the middle of the season are not easy. I think both teams probably wish they had little better quality in the midfield at times, but a lot of that comes down to heavy legs.”

Up next for the Scarlet Knights (6-0-2), they will host Michigan State this Friday at 7 p.m. ET. The Spartans were National Semifinalists a year ago, but are off to just a 0-5-2 start this season. This will be MSU’s Big Ten opener, while Rutgers tied Michigan last weekend, but will host a conference foe for the first time this season.