Rutgers men’s soccer team secured a 4-1 victory over William & Mary on Monday night in Williamsburg, Virginia. The win brings Rutgers to a 3-0-1 record for the season, while William & Mary falls to 0-2-1.
Joschi Schelb scored three goals in less than 22 minutes during the first half, giving Rutgers an early advantage. William & Mary responded with their only goal just before halftime, but Rutgers led 3-1 at the break.
Dan Karsten added another goal for Rutgers in the 64th minute, marking his second of the season and eighth of his collegiate career. He also contributed an assist during the match.
Ciaran Dalton made six saves in goal, bringing his total for the season to 12 and moving him up to ninth on Rutgers’ all-time career saves list with 183 stops. Dalton is the only Scarlet Knight to have played every minute of all four matches so far this campaign.
Schelb’s hat trick was notable as it was “the first by a Scarlet Knight since Jason Wright scored three goals against FGCU on September 27, 2016 and the first in a win since 2015. It is also the first hat trick by any Big Ten player since 2023.” According to team statistics, Schelb now has five goals this season and has scored the opening goal in each of Rutgers’ last three matches.
The team’s offensive production has been strong; they have scored 11 goals through their first four games—the most under head coach Jim McElderry and a high for the program since scoring 12 goals over four matches in 2003. Most of these goals (10 out of 11) have come from newcomers, with Devon Stopek being the only returning player to score so far.
Rutgers also outperformed William & Mary statistically, leading in shots (17-10), shots on goal (11-8), and corners (8-7). This match marked the first-ever meeting between Rutgers and William & Mary, resulting in a win for Rutgers.
Looking ahead, Rutgers will conclude its four-game road trip with a match against Princeton on Friday, September 5 at 7 p.m.
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