CAMDEN, N.J. (October 8, 2011) – Freshman midfielder Joe Auleta (Atco, NJ/Hammonton) collected a goal and an assist, while junior midfielder Zak Piccoline (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Township) and sophomore back Bobby Foster (Burlington, NJ/Burlington Township) each added goals to lift the Rutgers University-Camden men’s soccer team over Montclair State University, 3-1, in a battle between nationally-ranked New Jersey Athletic Conference teams.

The Scarlet Raptors, who entered the game ranked No. 14 in the NSCAA Top 25, improve to 11-2-1 overall, extend their unbeaten streak to eight games (7-0-1) and leapfrog into first place in the NJAC with a 3-0-1 mark.

Montclair State, ranked No. 23 in the latest d3soccer.com Top 25, falls to 9-2-2 overall and 3-1-1 in the NJAC, tying for second place with William Paterson University.

The victory was the Raptors’ first over the Red Hawks since a 2-0 shutout in Camden on Oct. 22, 2005, snapping a six-game Montclair State winning streak in the rivalry. The Red Hawks lead the all-time series, 18-9-5.

The game also was the first matchup between Top 25 teams at the Rutgers-Camden Community Park since Sept. 20, 2008, when the Scarlet Raptors tied William Paterson University, 1-1. At the time, Rutgers-Camden was ranked No. 12 and Paterson was No. 21, both in the NSCAA poll.

After a scoreless first half in a well-played, exciting game, Rutgers-Camden broke the deadlock at 63:54 when Piccoline scored from the lower left side of the goal after taking a feed from Auleta. It was his first goal of the season.

Montclair State came right back to tie the score less than two minutes later she freshman forward Brian Cullen (Clementon, NJ/Highland Regional) scored his third goal of the season. He tucked a shot inside the right post at 65:38 off a cross from the left side by senior midfielder Kevin Zalewski (Parsippany, NJ/Parsippany).

The Scarlet Raptors took the lead for good less than four minutes later when Auleta found himself six yards out on the left side after freshman midfielder Eric Cutry (Medford Lakes, NJ/Shawnee) slipped a pass into the box. Auleta finished off his fourth goal of the year at 69:25 and the Raptors tacked on an insurance tally in the 79th minute. Foster scored his third goal of the year from near the left post after a perfect cross from the right side by sophomore forward Taylor McGrory (Stratford, NJ/Sterling).

The opening half was a scoreless battle, with Montclair State having the best chance in the seventh minute on a pair of shots by junior midfielder William O’Connor (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo). The first shot was saved by Raptor senior goalie Tim VanLiew (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) and the shot off the rebound hit the left post.

For the game, Rutgers-Camden out-shot Montclair State, 15-13, and held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. The Raptors’ back four of junior outside backs Kevin Burke (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional) and Brian Hill (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) and center backs Foster and junior Matt Lanouette (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central) turned in another outstanding defensive effort. In the Raptors’ 7-0-1 unbeaten streak, they have helped hold opponents to seven total goals while playing against some of the top teams in the country.

VanLiew made seven saves for the Scarlet Raptors. His counterpart, Red Hawk junior Anthony Rogic (Boonton, NJ/Morris Catholic), had three saves and also stopped a second-half penalty kick.

Both teams return to action Wednesday to face NJAC opponents, although the Red Hawks’ home game against Kean University (3 p.m.) won’t count in the conference standings due to sanctions against the Cougars this season. Rutgers-Camden, meanwhile, hosts Richard Stockton College at 7 p.m.