PISCATAWAY, N.J. – FDU men's soccer (4-3-2) dropped a road contest to Rutgers (5-2-1) by a score of 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Rutgers began with some early pressure on the Knights. In the sixth minute, the Scarlet Knights made an aggressive push to the box, earning three straight corner kicks.
FDU successfully defended the first two tries, but Rutgers was able to find the net on their third try. Rutgers' Camron Boumsong sent in a shot off of a rebounded header, putting the home side up 1-0 early.
FDU punched back in the 19th minute. Luke Ayaz had a wonderful touch to begin a run, and found Harrison Hew streaking down the pitch. Hew fired home a rocket to put FDU on the board, and equalize things at one.
"We needed people to step up tonight," head coach Jaymee Highcock said. "Harrison did that big time."
Hew made his first start of the 2025 season due to some FDU injuries. The goal was his first of the season as well.
Rutgers jumped back in front just before the half. The Scarlet Knights' Nick Collins put a shot past FDU goalkeeper Matheus Franca in the 35th minute to put Rutgers back up. The 2-1 score would hold into the halftime break.
The Knights would charge back to level things in the second half. Eric Dlabal found himself open in the box, and hammered home his first goal of the 2025 season. The 51st minute goal equalized the game at two apiece.
Unfortunately for the Knights, they could not hold Rutgers off the scoresheet any longer. In the waning minutes, Dan Karsten found Andrew Kitch down low, who sent in a goal past Franca. The score put Rutgers up 3-2, and wound wind up as the game-winning goal.
FDU was out-shot 16 to nine in the loss. Goalkeeper Matheus Franca made four saves in net for the Knights.
The contest with Rutgers wraps up a successful non-conference slate for FDU. The Knights finish with a 4-3-2 record in non-conference, and will head into NEC play with their heads high.
"We're optimistic," Highcock said. "If anyone watches that game, they'll know we're a good team, and we can play well against any team."
The Knights charge into NEC play, kicking off the conference season at CCSU on Sunday, September 28. Kickoff in New Britain, Conn. will come at 12:00 p.m. Coverage is available on NEC Front Row.
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Presto's Pizza is the presenting sponsor of the 2025 FDU men's soccer season
