Rutgers Men’s Soccer Defeats Sacred Heart in 2026 Home Opener

It was a beautiful Friday night at Yurcak Field on August 28th, as Rutgers Men’s Soccer (1-1-1, 0-0-0) hosted Sacred Heart (0-2-1, 0-0-0) in their home opener for the 2026 season.

Rutgers started hot out of the gate with 2 first half goals by Andrew Kitch. Kitch , who comes into the year really poised to be a key piece in this offense for the Scarlet Knights, wasted no time giving Rutgers the 1-0 lead in the third minute. Later in the half, put them back ahead 2-1 in the 28th minute. General Manager Anthony Palumbo spoke with Kitch following the match:

Rutgers left no margin for error in the 2nd half, keeping their foot on the gas the entire way. Nick Collins brought the lead up to 3-1 off a penalty shot in the 50th minute, and Dylan Carlson truly iced the game off a feed from Andrew Kitch in the 78th minute to put Rutgers up 4-1.

It was an entire team effort, and is won appropriately for the 50th win for Head Coach Jim McElderry in his Rutgers tenure. Sports Director Will Carmenaty spoke with Coach McElderry following the win on the milestone, and the week ahead:

Rutgers has a week off before they host their in-state rival Seton Hall on Friday, September 4th. Anthony Palumbo and Jay Tomlinson will have the call beginning at 6:45, right here on 88.7FM and online at wrsu.org.