Correa Scores Twice As Rutgers Men’s Soccer Defeats Pittsburgh 3-1

Scarlet Knights win BIG EAST opener, improve to 4-3 on the season

 

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (September 23, 2011) – Freshman forward Juan Pablo Correa (Montville, N.J.) posted two goals , while senior midfielder Nye Winslow (Piscataway, N.J.) tallied a score of his own as Rutgers men’s soccer (4-3-0, 1-0-0 BIG EAST) defeated Pittsburgh (2-6-1, 0-1-0 BIG EAST) 3-1 on Friday, Sept. 23 at Yurcak Field.

“This was a must win, especially being at home and starting our conference schedule,” said head coach Dan Donigan. “I’m happy with the way we played considering the tough (field) conditions but that’s the weather, you can’t control that. Fortunately for us, we had a good game. Overall, I’m happy for the result but it’s hard to judge given the conditions.”

The Scarlet Knights returned to their early season form – nine goals in four games – Friday night after going scoreless in the previous two matches. With the three goals against Pitt, RU is one goal (12) off their season total (13) from a year ago, just seven games in. Rutgers also snapped a two-game losing streak to the Panthers, moving to 8-5-2 all-time against Pittsburgh.

In the 34th minute, Rutgers opened the scoring with a goal from the team’s leading scorer Correa. After substituting into the game, junior midfielder Robin Brown (Edinburgh, Scotland) made an immediate impact, with a give-and-go combination between him and Correa who drilled a shot from the center of the box, putting RU ahead 1-0.

Pittsburgh battled back, tallying a goal just before the half to tie the contest at 1-1. The Panthers were awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and Manny Morgado delivered the equalizer with his first goal of the season. However, Rutgers pulled away in the second half with two goals, including the game-winner from Correa, en route to the 3-1 victory.

The Scarlet Knights got their second goal of the game in the 63rd minute on a free kick from 25 yards out as junior midfielder Dragan Naumoski (Fair Lawn, N.J.) tapped the pass over to Correa who sent the shot curling over the Pittsburgh goalkeeper.

RU struck again four minutes later in the 67th on a series of brilliant passes in the attacking third. Sophomore forward Kene Eze (Sayreville, N.J.) drove past a couple defenders down to the touch line before playing a cross to freshman Nathan Bruccoleri (Bordentown, N.J.) in front of the goal. Bruccoleri then flicked the ball to Winslow who was waiting at the empty net, burying the first collegiate goal of his career.

Rutgers will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 27 to close out its five-game homestand against Adelphi at 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field.