Category: Rutgers soccer

Watch: Philadelphia Union Academy product Jackson Temple scores a beautiful goal for Rutgers soccer

Rutgers men’s soccer attacker Jackson Temple scores a beautiful goal in Monday’s game against St. John’s.

Jackson Temple was at it again for Rutgers men’s soccer, scoring a second half goal in Monday night’s draw against St. John’s. Temple, a senior at Rutgers, is a product of the Philadelphia Union Academy.

It was vintage stuff from Temple, showcasing his complete skillset as Rutgers secured a 2-2 result against a strong St. John’s team at Yurcak Field.

The 39th-minute goal from Temple showed great industry by the Rutgers winger, pressing up the field to pick up an errant St. John’s backpass, beat the centerback and then cooly finishing to give Rutgers the lead.

Temple is one of the Big Ten’s top returning attackers. In 2021, Temple was an All-Big Ten selection. Last year, he was named to the All-Big Ten Tournament team.

Here is Temple’s second half goal:

 

Following the tie against St. John’s on Monday, Rutgers is now 0-1-1 on the season. They return to action on Friday at Princeton.

Temple’s progress through the Union academy is seen in this goal, as the MLS developmental side is known for producing quick, aggressive players who thrive in pressing and transition moments. The Union academy is one of the top soccer academies in North America.

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Is a Rutgers athlete the next Olivia Dunne? Outkick thinks so

Riley Tiernan is poised to be the next Olivia Dunne.

Move over Olivia Dunne, Rutgers women’s soccer player Riley Tiernan is poised to be the next breakthrough college athlete of social media.

Now, Tiernan has a long way to go to get to the level of Dunne, a gymnast for LSU who is an absolute juggernaut on social media. But it is clear that Tiernan, a junior forward at Rutgers, is trending in the right direction.

On TikTok for instance, Tiernan is closing in on 125,000 followers. The variety of her Tiks (or are they Toks?) are pretty typical college stuff, from dancing with friends to downtime activities and the usual things that this generation does when bored.

She also has 37,000 followers on Instagram. On the social media platform, she clearly has taken a more polished approach to her posts as of late, several of which include name, image and likeness (NIL) posts (such as for Atlantic Physical Therapy Center in Manasquan, N.J.).

For comparison, the Rutgers men’s basketball program has 42,000 followers on Instagram, which is a strong number. What Tiernan has tapped into on social media is pretty crazy.

What this content means for Tiernan is the opportunity to cash in on her social media presence with financial opportunities.

As Outtkick notes, Tiernan recently signed an (NIL) deal with Adidas.

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But what really stood out from Outkick in all of this, is that the sports, news and lifestyle website believes Tiernan’s marketability on social media is ready to take off:

“Rutgers soccer star Riley Tiernan appears to be the latest challenger to Olivia Dunne for the 2023-24 season, and it’s shaping up to be a battle for the ages.

“Big Ten vs. SEC? I mean, it’s sort of what college athletics are barreling towards anyway after this season. Might as well start now!”

This of course is all made possible by her ability on the field. Last season as a sophomore, Tiernan was an All-Big Ten selection and made the watchlist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, given out to the best men’s and women’s players in college soccer.

She also was an All-Academic Big Ten selection, underscoring the work that she also gets done in the classroom.

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Alexi Lalas on picking Rutgers: ‘I will forever be grateful’

Alexi Lalas expresses his appreciation for Rutgers.

Former United States international defender Alexi Lalas said on Thursday that he owes a debt of gratitude to Rutgers for giving him a chance to play college soccer.

Lalas, one of the best center-backs produced by the United States over the past 30 years, starred for the Rutgers men’s soccer team for four years beginning in 1991. A midfielder then, he was an integral part of two Scarlet Knights teams that went to the Final Four.

He was a part of two World Cup squads and starred for the 1994 team. Lalas parlayed this strong performance in the World Cup into signing with Italian Serie A club Padova.

Lalas was asked on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, about his choice of colleges. Now an analyst for FOX, Lalas posted a message where he expressed his appreciation for Rutgers:

 

Lalas partnered with Carli Lloyd this month to provide commentary for the recently completed FIFA Women’s World Cup. Lloyd is a former United States international and, like Lalas, starred at Rutgers.

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Rutgers Men’s Soccer announced promotions for their 2023 home schedule

Rutgers men’s soccer announced their 2023 promotions for their seven home games.

On Tuesday, Rutgers men’s soccer announced their 2023 promotions for the upcoming season. For Rutgers’ seven home games (three nonconference and four Big Ten), each game will have a different promotion for attendees.

Rutgers men’s soccer starts their 2023 season against St. John’s on Monday, August 28, at 7:30 p.m. During their opener, the Scarlet Knights will celebrate their Youth Soccer Kickoff by providing multiple promotions for their fans.

The Youth Soccer Kickoff promotion will consist of free ice cream for the first 100 kids wearing their youth soccer team apparel, pictures with the Big Ten Tournament trophy, and postgame autographs with the team.

During Rutgers’ second home game on Monday, September 4, against Saint Peters, the team will honor its student section by providing one-dollar hot dogs and recognition throughout the night.

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On Wednesday, September 13, the Scarlet Knights will host their final nonconference home match against Columbia. Also, Rutgers will host its Mental Health Awareness match and celebrate International Student Night with a tailgate to honor their last nonconference home game.

For the Big Ten opener, Rutgers will have Senior Day Scarlet Out when they host Michigan State on September 17 at 2 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear Scarlet to the game, and the team will welcome the Kids Club, giving out pins and celebrating with a high five line.

Rutgers will welcome Ohio State on Friday, September 29, as they promote Friday Night Lights: Rutgers Soccer and New Jersey Youth Soccer Night for kids around the state.

On October 13, the second Friday night game, Rutgers will host their Alumni game against Wisconsin at 6 p.m. The Scarlet Knights will welcome back former Scarlet Knights, encouraging fans to wear black for a Black Out of Yurcak Field as they hand out thundersticks to the attendees. 

For their final home game on Tuesday, October 17, Rutgers will host Penn State. During their last home game, the Scarlet Knights will hand out one-dollar hotdogs throughout the night for their fans.

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Breaking: Former New York Red Bulls standout Erick Ruiz joins Rutgers men’s soccer

Rutgers men’s soccer signs Erick Ruiz, a former New York Red Bulls midfielder.

Rutgers men’s soccer got a huge addition on Wednesday, adding Erick Ruiz to the roster. Ruiz is a midfielder who came up through the vaunted New York Red Bulls Academy.

He has also progressed to play for the New York Red Bulls II which played in the USL up through last year and is now in MLS Next Pro. The team has a track record of producing professional players, including United States international Tyler Adams.

Coming up through the Red Bulls system, Ruiz was a central midfielder. He has a strong work ethic and work rate, which the Red Bulls require of their holding midfielders.

Rutgers announced the signing of Ruiz on Wednesday, a bit of a coup for the Big Ten program considering that Ruiz was looked at as a player who could make the jump to the MLS level:

 

Ruiz is the first Pre-Academy player from the Red Bulls system to represent the New York Red Bulls II.

 

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Rutgers Acosta, Bouregy and Zalinsky named Big Ten Men’s soccer players to watch

Three Rutgers men’s soccer players named players to watch for hte Big ten.

The Big Ten announced its 2023 men’s soccer preseason honors on Monday afternoon and Rutgers was well represented. Three Scarlets Knights, Matthew Acosta, Jason Bouregy, and Joey Zalinsky, were named to the Big Ten Men’s watch list. For the talented trio, it is an honor they are not unfamiliar with.

This is the second straight year Acosta has been named to the list. He is coming off a stellar sophomore season in which he started all 21 games and led Rutgers in minutes played with 1,742. He also scored two goals in the Big Ten championship.

Like Acosta, Bouregy was essential to Rutgers success last year. He was tied for the team lead in assists with eight, which was also the second most in the Big Ten. The Paramus native also showed a flair for the dramatic as he netted game-winning goals against Northwestern and Wisconsin in September. He finished the 2022 campaign ranked third on the team in points with 14.

Rounding out the trio is Zalinsky, who is an important part of Rutgers defensive unit. He appeared in al1 19 games last year and finished second on the team in minutes played. He also added to his offensive game with his first three career points.

With this trio leading the way, Rutgers has high expectations for the 2023 campaign. Their roster will feature 22 players from its 2022 Big Ten Tournament title team.

The Scarlet Knights will begin the regular season on the road at Delaware on Thursday, Aug. 24, before playing their home opener at Yurcak Field against St. John’s on Monday, Aug. 28.

Rutgers women’s soccer opens their season with win over Holy Cross

Rutgers women’s soccer has a solid start to the season.

On Thursday night, months of anticipation came to an end as Rutgers women’s soccer began their season. The wait proved to be worth it as the Scarlet Knights took care of business against Holy Cross. In a low-scoring game, Rutgers struck first.

Just six minutes after the opening whistle was blown, Riley Tiernan started the scoring. It was Tiernan’s only shot of the night, but it gave Rutgers a 1-0 lead. Eight minutes later, Allison Lowrey provided some insurance with her first goal of the season after drawing a penalty in the box. It marked the second consecutive season Lowrey scored in the opener.

While Lowrey and Tiernan provided the offense, Rutgers got stellar play from Olivia Bodmer. In her college debut, the Monroe native recorded her first career shutout. Holy Cross only landed two shots on net, but Bodmer stopped both of them.

Although Rutgers was happy to come away with a win, there are still areas of their game they need to improve on.

“It’s always difficult attacking a team that sits in,” head coach Mike O’Neil told Rutgers athletics.  “There’s not a lot of space to play, so sometimes you force it and it takes away confidence. We need to stick to the way we play, and I felt at times, we did that and created chances. Now we just need to get a little better at the execution.”

With a win on Thursday night, Rutgers has now won eight consecutive season openers. They return to action on Sunday against Hofstra at 7 p.m.

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Emily Mason earns spot on 2023 Women’s Hermann Trophy Watch List

Emily Mason is on the watchlist for the Hermann Trophy.

On the eve of the college women’s soccer season, the 2023 Women’s Hermann Trophy Watch list was announced. The list includes 17 players and Rutgers is represented with Emily Mason making the cut. As Rutgers looks to make their twelfth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, Mason will lead the way with her high level of experience.

It is a big honor for the Rutgers central defender as the Hermann Trophy is the highest individual award in college soccer.

During the 2022 campaign, Mason appeared in 16 games and set a career-high in goals with three and points with seven. She also contributed to eight shutouts and to the Scarlet Knights success whenever she was on the field.

As Mason helped Rutgers to a 13-5-2 mark, she continued to add to her long list of accomplishments. The Flemington native earned All-Big Ten First Team honors and United Soccer All-North Region First Team honors. Those awards reflect why she has become one of the best at her position.

While her focus will be on helping Rutgers make a deep tournament run, she also has a chance to make history. The Hermann Trophy is given out annually to the top men’s and women’s college soccer players. No Rutgers women’s soccer player has ever won the award. The last player on the men’s side to win it was Alexi Lalas in 1991.

If Mason can be in the conversation for the award this season, then chances are Rutgers will be well on their way to another strong season.

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Rutgers women’s soccer trio named Big Ten Players to Watch

Three Rutgers women’s soccer players named to the Big Ten Player watchlist.

After an impressive 2022 campaign, Rutgers women’s soccer has high expectations. Last year the Scarlet Knights finished with a 13-5-2 record and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the 11th straight year. As the Scarlet Knights look to build on their success, they will be led by the trio of Sara Brocious, Becci Fluchel, and Riley Tiernan, who have been named Big Ten Players to Watch ahead of the 2023 season.

During the 2022 campaign, Brocious had five goals and earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. She also came through in clutch situations with two game-winning goals. Entering her fourth season as a Scarlet Knight, the New Jersey native has 16 career assists, tied for twelth most in program history.

Like Brocious, Fluchel is coming off one of the best seasons of her college career. Last year the Pittstown native was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team. The talented senior was one of Rutgers’ most reliable players, as she played and started in all 20 matches.

Rounding out the trio is Tiernan, who has an impressive collegiate resume. After being named the 2021 Big Ten Rookie of the Year, she earned Soccer Coaches All-Region Second Team and All-Big Ten Third Team honors last year. She already has 19 career assists, the eighth most in program history.

After months of waiting, Rutgers is only hours away from their season opener against Holy Cross at 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field. For this talented trio, the 2023 campaign could be one for the record books with more eyes on them than ever before.

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Former Rutgers men’s soccer star MD Myers can’t stop scoring in MLS Next Pro

MD Myers continues his hot streak in MLS Next Pro.

MD Myers continued his hot run in MLS Next Pro, scoring the equalizer for New York City FC II in a shootout loss at the Chicago Fire II. The former Rutgers star forward has enjoyed an incredibly successful first season of professional soccer with NYCFC.

In fact, after his goal on Wednesday night, Myers now leads MLS Next Pro with 16 goals on the season. Given his form his season, his recent performances could see him knocking on the door of a first-team call-up.

Myers has six goals in the last three games, this latest was a stoppage-time header off a corner kick.

MLS Next Pro is in its first season as the developmental/reserve league for MLS.

 

In his one season at Rutgers, Myers spearheaded an attack that led Rutgers to win the Big Ten Tournament and earn a place in the NCAA Tournament.

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He scored 13 goals and had seven assists in the regular season and was the unanimous selection as the Big Ten Player of the Year.

NYCFC took him in the third round of the MLS Super Draft.

Following the late equalizer from Myers, NYCFC II lost to the Fire II in a shootout.

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