PISCATAWAY, N.J. (October 2, 2026) – Host Rutgers (5-4-1, 3-1 B1G) rode a fast start to a 4-0 victory over Northwestern (5-4-1, 2-2 B1G) this evening at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.
How It Happened
The Scarlet Knights raced out of the gates, with Pius Ssebulime, Dan Karsten, and Amer Lukovic netting goals inside the opening nine minutes to jump out to a 3-0 advantage. Tre Barrett tried to pull a goal back just past the quarter-hour mark, but saw his left-footed attempt from outside the box drift wide of the far post.
Chances came at a premium in the opening stanza for the visitors, as Rutgers took a three-goal edge into halftime.
Northwestern looked to come out on the front foot in the second half. After seeing Dominic Pereira deny Abubakar Mayanja in the early stages, Peter Riesz took aim in the 52nd minute, sending a blast from 25 yards out narrowly off target.
Gabriel Smyth made a bid for his first Northwestern goal in the 69th minute, only to see his effort tipped over the crossbar to keep the ‘Cats off the board. Lukovic added his second goal of the night shortly after, cementing a 4-0 victory for Rutgers on its home field.
Looking At The Numbers
- Following a first half in which it struggled to create chances, Northwestern outshot Rutgers by an 11-6 margin in the second half.
- Riesz let fly with a team-high four shots, while Barrett and Tyler Glassberg were both credited with three shots.
- The Wildcats generated a season-high 11 corner kicks.