Rutgers
Michigan
Oct 22 | Men's Soccer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. ā Rutgers men's soccer will host Michigan for Senior Knight on Friday at 7 p.m. The team will be honoringĀ Logan Brown,Ā Nick Collins,Ā Francesco Di Ponzio, Noah Hannawald,Ā Andrew Kitch,Ā Charlie Kitch,Ā William Pierce,Ā Rafael Ponce de Leon,Ā Erick Ruiz andĀ Devon Stopek.Ā
Match Details Ā
Rutgers (7-6-1, 5-3 Big Ten) vs. Michigan (3-5-4, 0-3-3 B1G)Ā
7 p.m. ET | Friday, Oct. 23Ā
Yurcak Field | Piscataway, N.J.Ā
TV: B1G+Ā
Last Time OutĀ Ā Ā
The Scarlet Knights erupted for five goals in a 5-0 shutout victory overĀ Penn State (2-8-2, 0-6-2 B1G)Ā on Tuesday night. RU scored three times in the opening 20 minutes before adding two more in the second half. Ā Ā
The Scarlet Knights wasted little time getting on the board, as Dan Karsten scored just 58 seconds into the contest off assists from Francesco Di Ponzio and Amer Lukovic. Rutgers doubled its advantage in the seventh minute when reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the week, Francesco Di Ponzio, found the back of the net, finishing a play set up by Lukovic and Devon Stopek.Ā
Ā
1' | Talk about a HOT start š„ šŗ B1G+ š https://t.co/Bq1cE3hBb6 #GoRU | #RUMS https://t.co/yaMt8LdSfB
ā Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) October 20, 2026
William Pierce extended the lead to 3-0 in the 20th minute, converting a pass from Nick Collins to cap a dominant opening half for the Scarlet Knights.Ā Ā
Rutgers continued its offensive attack after halftime, with Thomas Angelone scoring his first goal of the season in the 54th minute. Collins added a fifth goal from the penalty spot in the 60th minute to complete the scoring.Ā Ā
Ā
54' | That's a STUNNER from Thomas Angeloneā¼ļø RU says ahead, 4-0 šŗ B1G+ š https://t.co/Bq1cE3hBb6 #GoRU | #RUMS https://t.co/Ge6UT0Zc6u
ā Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) October 21, 2026
Ranked ReapersĀ
Rutgers men's soccer has proven it can compete with the nation's best, earning a series of impressive upsets against nationally ranked opponents.Ā Ā
The Scarlet Knights opened their run of ranked victories with a stunning 3-1 win over No. 11 UCLA on Sept. 11, highlighted by goals from Nick Collins, Erick Ruiz and William Pierce. Rutgers followed up with a 2-0 victory over No. 11 Princeton at Yurcak Field behind scores from Abubakar Mayanja and Pierce. RUĀ kept the momentum going on the road, with a 2-1 win over No. 3 Ohio State in Columbus, completing three consecutive ranked wins in a 10-day span.Ā Ā
Most recently, the Scarlet Knights delivered their biggest win of the season, taking down previously unbeaten No. 2 Indiana, 1-0, at Yurcak Field on Oct. 16 behind Francesco di Ponzio's second-half goal and a strong defensive effort. The victory marked Rutgers' second win over a top three opponent this season and its highest-ranked win of the Jim McElderry era.Ā
Fill The HillĀ
Rutgers men'sĀ soccerĀ is invitingĀ fans toĀ "Fill the Hill"Ā this fall asĀ theĀ ScarletĀ KnightsĀ hostĀ its final regular season Big TenĀ home match atĀ Yurcak Field against the Wolverines.Ā Ā
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One more home match at Yurcak ā”ļø One more chance to Fill The Hill ā¼ļø #GoRU | #RUMS https://t.co/Rb0hfjylDD
ā Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) October 22, 2026
TheĀ "Fill the Hill"Ā initiative will provide a fun, family-friendly atmosphere for fans on the berm at Yurcak Field, across from theĀ bleachers.Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
Fans attendingĀ the above contestsĀ are encouraged to bring blankets,Ā lawn chairsĀ and arrive earlyĀ to enjoy the atmosphere.Ā Pop-up tents will not beĀ permitted.Ā Ā
"Fill the Hill"Ā entry will be available through the rear entrance of YurcakĀ Field,Ā providing direct access to the event area.Ā Ā Ā
Portable restroomsĀ as well as select food and beveragesĀ will be available near theĀ "FillĀ the Hill"Ā area, while fans may also walk around to the front entrance of YurcakĀ FieldĀ to access the regular restroom facilitiesĀ andĀ fullĀ concession stand.Ā
The ReturnersĀ Ā Ā
Rutgers returns 17 student-athletes who saw action during the 2025 season, including seven players who started at least 12 matches.Ā Ā Ā
The Scarlet Knights bring back three key pieces of the backline in Collins, Braxton Montgomery and Devon Stopek, all of whom appeared in every match last season.Ā Ā Ā
In addition, Rutgers returns eight of its 10 goal scorers from a year ago, accounting for 17 of the team's goals in 2025.Ā Ā Ā
Welcoming the NewcomersĀ Ā Ā
McElderry and his staff welcomed 11 new faces "On The Banks" during the offseason, including seven transfers and four first-year players.Ā Ā Ā
The transfer class brings veteran talent from across the country, combining for 103 career games of collegiate experience.Ā Ā Ā
Transfers: Rafael Ponce de Leon (Northwestern), Charlie Kitch (Elon), Pius Ssebulime (Gardner-Webb), Zach Mastrodimos (UCLA), William Pierce (Fairfield), Jan Ziewiec (Hofstra) and Abubaker Mayanja (UNC)Ā Ā Ā
First Years: Brian Nascimento, Julian Chapman, Noah Hannawald and Hector CriadoĀ Ā
Up NextĀ Ā Ā
Rutgers will finish out the regular season at No. 6 Michigan State on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.Ā
Follow Rutgers Men's Soccer on Social MediaĀ Ā Ā Ā
