CAMDEN, N.J. (Oct. 26, 2013) – The Rutgers University-Camden men’s soccer team raced to a 3-0 lead and went on to defeat Ramapo College, 4-1, in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game here Saturday afternoon, soaring to new heights on the program and NCAA Division III charts.

With their win, the nationally-ranked Scarlet Raptors raised their record to 16-0-2 overall, setting records for the best start in program history and the longest single-season undefeated string ever. The previous longest undefeated streaks had been 17-game strings by the 2004 team (13-0-4) and the 2011 squad (15-0-2). The 2004 streak opened the season to set the previous mark for the best undefeated start.

Rutgers-Camden is ranked No. 3 in the D3soccer.com Top 25 and No. 4 in the NSCAA national poll.

While raising their NJAC record to 6-0-2, the Scarlet Raptors also became only the 12th team in NCAA Division III history to stretch their overall unbeaten streak to 30 or more games. The Raptors, who are on a 25-0-5 run dating back to last season, are the third team on that list to reach a 30-game streak this season. Defending national champion Messiah saw its 33-game unbeaten streak snapped earlier this year, while Amherst College raised its record to 11-0-2 Saturday afternoon to extend its two-year unbeaten string to 33 games.

With 16 wins, the Scarlet Raptors also are three victories shy of the single-season program mark set by the 2011 squad, which went 19-3-2.

Ramapo falls to 7-8-2 overall and 2-6 in the NJAC.

Sophomore forward Mike Ryan (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) led the offensive explosion for the Raptors, collecting one goal and two assists. His first assist came at 4:22, setting up a shot from the left side of the box by sophomore midfielder Connor Hurff (Sewell, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) which tucked inside the right panel and put the Raptors ahead for good. It was Hurff’s fifth goal of the season.

Ryan notched his team-leading 15th goal at 23:25 with a shot inside the right post, assisted by senior midfielder Stevan Austino (Buena, NJ/Buena Regional). The Scarlet Raptors made it a 3-0 game at 35:46 when sophomore midfielder Grant Taylor (Tewksbury, NJ/West Morris-Mendham) collected his first goal of the year, assisted by junior back Eric Cutry (Medford Lakes, NJ/Shawnee).

Ramapo scored its lone goal 3:17 before halftime when freshman back Bayley Young (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern) headed in a set piece by senior midfielder Anthony Pasciolla (Park Ridge, NJ/Saint Joseph).

The Raptors’ final goal was scored by senior midfielder Mitch Grotti (Milmay, NJ/Millville), and assisted by Ryan, at 56:23. It was Grotti’s sixth goal of the season and increased his program-record career totals to 46 goals and 113 points.

Rutgers-Camden held a 21-13 advantage in shots and a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. Both goalies – Raptor senior Mike Randall (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) and Roadrunner sophomore Brian Petrunik (Chatham, NJ/Chatham) collected six saves.

Both teams close their regular-season schedule with NJAC games Wednesday. Ramapo plays host to Montclair State at 3 p.m., while Rutgers-Camden entertains New Jersey City University at 6 p.m.

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