CAMDEN, N.J. (Nov. 2, 2012) – The Rutgers University-Camden men’s soccer is returning to defend its championship.

After winning the first New Jersey Athletic Conference title in program history last season, the Scarlet Raptors are heading back to the title game after posting a 3-1 victory over Rutgers-Newark in the NJAC semifinals here Friday night.

The second-seeded Scarlet Raptors will host fifth-seeded Rowan University at 7 p.m. Saturday night. The Profs stunned top seed Montclair State University, 2-1, in Friday’s other semifinal matchup.

Rutgers-Camden, which is ranked No. 17 in the D3soccer.com Top 25 and No. 18 in the NSCAA Division III national poll, will bring a 15-2-2 record and a five-game winning streak into Saturday’s title game. The Scarlet Raptors, who have posted a 7-0-2 record in their last nine games, edged Rowan during the regular season, 2-1, in the first overtime on Sept. 19.

Rutgers-Newark, the NJAC’s third seed, falls to 14-8 and will await a possible selection to the ECAC Metro playoffs.

At halftime, the Scarlet Raptors honored their seven departing players on Senior Night, recognizing the accomplishments of backs Kevin Burke (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional), Alec Dritsas (Colts Neck, NJ/
Colts Neck), Brian Hill (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) and Matt Lanouette (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central), midfielders Casey Doyle (West Orange, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) and Zak Piccoline (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Township) and forward C.J. Finley (Burlington Township, NJ/Burlington Township).

By halftime, the Scarlet Raptors were in a good position with a 2-0 lead, thanks to a pair of goals nearly six minutes apart. Freshman forward Guiseppe DeLuca (Sicklerville, NJ/Timber Creek) scored his first collegiate goal, one-timing a cross from the left wing from freshman forward Mike Ryan (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee). DeLuca’s shot inside the far right post put the Raptors on the scoreboard at 30:07.

Sophomore forward Corey Beltran (Fairfax, VA/Williamstown) made it a 2-0 game at 35:59, scoring from close range after a long throw-in into the box by senior midfielder Casey Doyle (West Orange, NJ/Seton Hall Prep). It was the third goal of the season for Beltran and his second game-winning tally.

The Scarlet Raptors held a 10-4 advantage in shots and a 2-0 edge in corner kicks in the opening half, forcing Rutgers-Newark freshman goalie Matt Broomall (Somers Point, NJ/Mainland) to make five saves. One huge stop, early in the scoreless game, came off a penalty kick following a handball in the box.

Rutgers-Camden added a big insurance goal at 76:44 when junior forward C.J. Finley (Burlington Township, NJ/Burlington Township) fed Ryan on a breakaway. In a one-on-one play between a pair of NJAC First Team players, Ryan worked his way around Broomall, who charged out of the box. He shot into the open net for his team-leading 14th goal of the season.

The Scarlet Raiders got on the board at 82:58 when freshman forward Leonardo Liberato (Belleville, NJ/Belleville) headed in a cross from the left side by senior midfielder Gabriel Avans (Roselle Park, NJ/Union Catholic).  It was the eighth goal of the season for Liberato.

Rutgers-Camden finished with an 18-13 advantage in shots and an 8-5 edge in corner kicks. Broomall made seven saves, while Scarlet Raptor junior keeper Mike Randall (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) had eight saves. Randall’s biggest save came midway through the second half, a close-range save off the foot of freshman midfielder Amro Fawzy (Jersey City, NJ/Dickinson) to keep the score at 2-0 at the time.

The Scarlet Raptors’ win avenged one of their two losses during the regular season. Newark had defeated the Raptors, 1-0, in Camden on Sept. 15. That game was the only loss for Rutgers-Camden on its home field since Sept. 29, 2010. Since then, the Raptors have gone 24-1-1 on their home field, including 9-1 this season.

Rutgers-Camden’s only other loss this season was a 4-3 overtime shootout at Montclair State University Sept. 29.