Kitch's Career Night Leads Men's Soccer Over Sacred Heart for McElderry's 50th Rutgers Win

Friday, August 28

Piscataway, N.J.

7 PM

Rutgers

1-1-1, 0-0-0

Sacred Heart

0-2-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Sacred Heart	1	0	1
Rutgers	2	2	4

Photo by: Bianca Borja

Kitch's Career Night Leads Men's Soccer Over Sacred Heart for McElderry's 50th Rutgers Win

Aug 28 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's soccer (1-1-1) secured its first win of the season with a decisive 4-1 victory over Sacred Heart (0-2-1) Friday night at Yurcak Field. A five-point performance from Andrew Kitch, who tallied two goals and an assist, highlighted the victory, which also marked Jim McElderry's 50th career win as head coach of the Scarlet Knights.

Kitch wasted no time getting the Scarlet Knights on the board, finding the back of the net in just the third minute with an assist from Amer Lukovic.

3' | GOOOOOAL 🤩

Andrew Kitch gets one early to give Rutgers the lead!

📺 B1G+
📊 https://t.co/u1XhYqSSit #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/wrKZId3Q5I
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 28, 2026

The Pioneers responded in the ninth minute though, to knot the score, 1-1.

After having a goal called back in the 13th minute, Rutgers regained the lead in the 28th, when Kitch found the back of the net for a second time. Lukovic once again provided the assist, while Devon Stopek also picked up a helper on the go-ahead tally, sending the Scarlet Knights into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.

28' | BRACE FOR KITCH ✌️

Andrew Kitch nets another goal with help from Stopek and Lukovic!

📺 B1G+
📊 https://t.co/u1XhYqSSit #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/80DVNoNQPi
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 28, 2026

Rutgers carried the momentum into the second half, applying pressure to the Pioneer back line. A strong run from Francesco Di Ponzio drew a penalty kick in the 50th minute, and Nick Collins calmly converted the attempt to extend RU's lead to 3-1.

50' | PK PERFECTION!

Nick Collin tallies his first score of the season to extend RU's lead, 3-1 👏

📺 B1G+
📊 https://t.co/u1XhYqSSit #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/5hpKmGDeGN
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 29, 2026

Kitch continued his standout night in the 78th minute, setting up Dylan Carlson for Rutgers' fourth and final goal of the evening.

78' | CARLSON 🔥

Dylan Carlson nets his first career goal to keep the Scarlet Knights on top, 4-1!

📺 B1G+
📊 https://t.co/u1XhYqSSit #GoRU | #RUMS pic.twitter.com/8umCsdEeL6
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) August 29, 2026

Goals

3' (RU) Andrew Kitch – Amer Lukovic
9' (SHU) Brady Poor – Axier Zeberio Guereno & Alejandro Tierno
28' (RU) Andrew Kitch – Amer Lukovic & Devon Stopek
50' (RU) Nick Collins
78' (RU) Dylan Carlson – Andrew Kitch

Game Notes

McElderry captured his 50th win at Rutgers and his 177th career victory Friday night. He ranks third among Big Ten coaches who have led their team in nine or less seasons.
Kitch recorded a career-high five points with two goals and an assist. The performance marked his first career brace and gave him the fourth and fifth goals of his collegiate career.
Three of Rutgers five goals so far this season have come from twin brothers Andrew and Charlie Kitch.
Lukovic recorded a pair of assists, both coming on Kitch's goals, for his first points of the season.
Collins converted the first penalty kick of his career. He now has five career goals and three assists for 13 total points.
Carlson found the back of the net for the first time in his career against the Pioneers. He previously recorded an assist in 2024 and now has three career points.
23 Scarlet Knights saw action against Sacred Heart.
Goalkeeper Rafael Ponce de Leon recorded two saves to bring his season total to 11.

Looking Ahead

Rutgers will continue its Yurcak Field home stand against Seton Hall on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.

Follow Along

Follow Rutgers men's soccer on X and Instagram (@RUMensSoccer) for all the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RutgersMensSoccer.