The Rutgers men’s soccer team is set to resume Big Ten competition as it hosts Ohio State on Friday, September 26 at Yurcak Field. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and can be streamed on B1G+. The event has been designated a Blackout game.
Rutgers enters the contest with a record of 5-2-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten, while Ohio State holds a 4-3 overall record and is 1-0 in conference play.
In their most recent outing, the Scarlet Knights defeated Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) 3-2 on September 23 at Yurcak Field. This win maintained Rutgers’ undefeated home record this season. Camron Boumsong scored early for Rutgers with his second goal of the season. FDU responded with an equalizer before Nick Collins restored the lead for Rutgers just before halftime. After another FDU goal tied the score in the second half, Andrew Kitch secured the victory for Rutgers with a late goal following assists from Boumsong and Dan Karsten.
Team captain Cole Cruthers returns for his senior campaign, supported by fellow leaders Devon Stopek, Erick Ruiz, Ciaran Dalton, and Joschi Schelb.
Goalkeeper Ciaran Dalton continues to add to his career statistics at Rutgers. He currently ranks fifth all-time with 55 appearances and eighth all-time with 195 saves, four short of moving up another spot in school history.
Seven players who started ten or more games last season are back on the roster, including six who recorded points during that stretch. Dalton and Stopek started every game in 2024; Collins, Nestor Cabrera, Scott Godden, Arnar Adalsteinsson, and Cruthers also made double-digit starts.
Rutgers added seven transfers this offseason: Joschi Schelb (St. Francis University), Camron Boumsong (St. John’s University), Andrew Kitch (University of North Carolina), Timo Jansen (University of Albany), Logan Brown (Clemson), Dan Karsten (Lipscomb), and Amer Lukovic (Montclair State). Several have already contributed goals or assists early in the season.
A freshman class of nine players joined this year as well. Jude Essuman scored a goal after joining in spring along with Cedric Lemaire and Jack Andrus; others arrived ahead of preseason. Braxton Montgomery has started every game so far on defense.
Ohio State comes into Friday’s matchup following consecutive road wins over Butler and Michigan State. Marko Borkovic leads Ohio State’s offense with four goals and eleven points this season after scoring twice against Michigan State.
Rutgers trails Ohio State in their all-time series with a record of four wins, seven losses, and one draw; Ohio State has won their last two meetings.
After facing Ohio State, Rutgers will remain at home to play Monmouth on Tuesday, September 30 at 7 p.m.
Fans can follow updates about Rutgers men’s soccer through Twitter and Instagram (@RUMensSoccer) as well as Facebook.
