CAMDEN, N.J. (Sept. 21, 2013) – The 2013 home opener was worth the wait for the Rutgers University-Camden women’s soccer team.

After playing their first six games on the road, the Scarlet Raptors opened their home season and their New Jersey Athletic Conference schedule here Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 victory over sister school Rutgers-Newark.

Rutgers-Camden evens its record at 3-3-1 overall and stands at 1-0 in the NJAC. Rutgers-Newark falls to 3-4-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference with its third straight 3-0 loss.

Rutgers-Camden leads its all-time series against Rutgers-Newark, 10-1-3.

For the Scarlet Raptors, their three-goal outburst was their biggest offensive display since a 6-0 victory over John Jay College on Oct. 1, 2012. Junior midfielder Lindsay Russo (Mickleton, NJ/Kingsway Regional) and senior forward Camille Graham (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) both scored first-half goals for the Raptors, while freshman forward Mandi Noll (Blackwood, NJ/Triton Regional) notched a second-half tally. It was the first goal of the season for all three players.

Rutgers-Camden, meanwhile, earned its fourth shutout of the season – the most since the club had six in 2009 – as senior goalies Lauren West (Mantua, NJ/Clearview Regional) and Leighanna Milby (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) and freshman keeper Chrissy Ambrozy (Haddon Township, NJ/Haddon Township) combined for the shutout. West had six saves in 60:26, while Milby added two in 25:47. Ambrozy, making her collegiate debut, played the final 3:47 without a save.

Rutgers-Camden notched the eventual game-winning goal at 21:46 when freshman forward Kaitlyn Zuzulock (National Park, NJ/Gateway Regional) sent a cross into the box from the left side, where Russo finished the play.

Junior midfielder Michelle Barbone (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional) sparked the second goal with a feed toward the left wing for junior midfielder Lacey Stackhouse (Burlington, NJ/Burlington Township), who set up Graham’s goal with a cross.

The Raptors’ final goal came on a fine carry down the left side by Noll, who battled a defender all the way and finally beat freshman keeper Diana Aviles (Bloomfield, NJ/Bloomfield) to the near post.

Rutgers-Camden held a 16-12 advantage in shots and an 8-5 edge in corner kicks. While the Raptors’ goalie trio combined for eight saves, Aviles had 10 saves for the Scarlet Raiders.

Both teams return to NJAC action Wednesday night. Rutgers-Camden plays at Rowan University in a 7 p.m. game, while Rutgers-Newark hosts Kean University at 7:30 p.m.

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