Rutgers Univeristy Communications
PIPISCATAWAY, N.J. - After a scoreless first half, No. 7 Creighton put away two goals in the second half to spoil No. 25 Rutgers men's soccer’s season opener Friday night at Yurcak Field.
Rutgers had a chance to break the scoreless tie with perhaps its best chance of the evening coming off the foot of junior midfielder Miles Hackett in the game's 55th minute. Newcomer Kyle Goodwin made a cross to find Hackett at the front of the Bluejay net. Hackett made one tap with his back to the goal, turned and fired away, but the attempt from his right foot went above the crossbar.
Shortly after, Creighton would find themselves on the scoreboard. Lucas Stauffer found the back of the Scarlet Knight goal on a penalty kick in the 59th minute.
With Rutgers a man down following a red card, the Bluejays were able to add in an insurance goal in the 65th minute on a Riggs Lennon blast from 30-yards out. After Creighton controlled a Rutgers throw-in at midfield, the Bluejays' Joel Rydstrand and Luke Haakenson found open space to feed Stauffer, who in turn booted the ball as the Scarlet Knights defense surged.
"I knew what we were facing when we scheduled these games and Creighton is an exceptional team," said head coach Dan Donigan. "We were withstanding what they were throwing at us. I thought we had an unbelievable opportunity with Miles' chance."
David Greczek made eight saves in goal for the Scarlet Knights. The Bluejays' Alex Kapp made a pair of stops.
"It's early on, but it's only our first regular season game. It's disappointing to lose 2-0 but you've got to keep perspective that it's a very good team. Now we have bounce back for Denver and get these guys rejuvenated so they can play 90 minutes on Sunday," added Donigan.
The Rutgers men's soccer team is back to action on Sunday at 1 p.m. against No. 20 Denver. The first 250 fans will receive an R soccer magnet.
Rutgers had a chance to break the scoreless tie with perhaps its best chance of the evening coming off the foot of junior midfielder Miles Hackett in the game's 55th minute. Newcomer Kyle Goodwin made a cross to find Hackett at the front of the Bluejay net. Hackett made one tap with his back to the goal, turned and fired away, but the attempt from his right foot went above the crossbar.
Shortly after, Creighton would find themselves on the scoreboard. Lucas Stauffer found the back of the Scarlet Knight goal on a penalty kick in the 59th minute.
With Rutgers a man down following a red card, the Bluejays were able to add in an insurance goal in the 65th minute on a Riggs Lennon blast from 30-yards out. After Creighton controlled a Rutgers throw-in at midfield, the Bluejays' Joel Rydstrand and Luke Haakenson found open space to feed Stauffer, who in turn booted the ball as the Scarlet Knights defense surged.
"I knew what we were facing when we scheduled these games and Creighton is an exceptional team," said head coach Dan Donigan. "We were withstanding what they were throwing at us. I thought we had an unbelievable opportunity with Miles' chance."
David Greczek made eight saves in goal for the Scarlet Knights. The Bluejays' Alex Kapp made a pair of stops.
"It's early on, but it's only our first regular season game. It's disappointing to lose 2-0 but you've got to keep perspective that it's a very good team. Now we have bounce back for Denver and get these guys rejuvenated so they can play 90 minutes on Sunday," added Donigan.
The Rutgers men's soccer team is back to action on Sunday at 1 p.m. against No. 20 Denver. The first 250 fans will receive an R soccer magnet.