CAMDEN, N.J. (October 12, 2011) – Rutgers University-Camden sophomore forward Mitch Grotti (Milmay, NJ/Millville) scored an early goal and the Scarlet Raptors’ defense made it stand up as the host team edged Richard Stockton College, 1-0, in a rain-drenched New Jersey Athletic Conference men’s soccer game here Wednesday night.

The victory gave sixth-year Head Coach Tim Oswald his 75th win at Rutgers-Camden, raising his record to 75-35-16 with the Scarlet Raptors. It also extended Rutgers-Camden’s undefeated streak to nine games (8-0-1), the longest since the Raptors’ program-record 17-game run (13-0-4) to open the 2004 season.

Rutgers-Camden, ranked No. 11 in the NSCAA Top 25 poll and No. 19 in the d3soccer.com Top 25 poll, improves to 12-2-1 overall and a conference-leading 4-0-1 in the NJAC. The 12-2-1 mark ties the 2000 team for the second-best 15-game start in program history behind the 11-0-4 team from 2004.

Richard Stockton falls to 8-6-1 overall and 2-3-1 in the NJAC.

The Ospreys, who had won three of their last four games against the Scarlet Raptors, lead the all-time series 23-14-5.

Rutgers-Camden scored only 4:55 into the contest when Grotti took a feed at the top of the box from junior midfielder Casey Doyle (West Orange, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) and slotted his team-leading 14th goal into the left side of the net.

The early goal, coming in a misty precipitation, held up as the rain increased to a heavy downpour later in the opening half before finally clearing up for the final half.

Stockton, featuring a huge lineup that included three starters of 6-3 or taller and seven players at least 6-0, had several dangerous opportunities on its numerous first-half restarts. The Ospreys had an 8-1 advantage on corner kicks in the opening half and an 11-6 edge for the game. Scarlet Raptor senior goalie Tim VanLiew (Deptford, NJ/Deptford) made four saves in the first half and six in the game as he earned the 49th victory of his stellar career with his 26th shutout. Both totals are program records.

VanLiew received stellar defensive work from his back quartet of juniors Kevin Burke (Sewell, NJ/Clearview Regional), Matt Lanouette (Hopewell, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central) and Brian Hill (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) and sophomore Bobby Foster (Burlington, NJ/Burlington Township).

Rutgers-Camden finished with a 16-14 edge in shots, aided by a 9-6 advantage in the second half.

Both teams return to action Saturday, facing nationally-ranked programs. The Ospreys host non-conference foe Salisbury University, which is ranked No. 17 in the NSCAA and No. 21 in the d3soccer.com polls. The Scarlet Raptors play a big 4 p.m. NJAC game at William Paterson University, which is ranked No. 22 in the d3soccer.com poll.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Men's Team of the Week: Nov. 25

Women's Team of the Week: Nov. 25

ECNL Boys Ohio Valley Players to Watch