UNION, N.J. (10/9/21) – A penalty kick goal in the 81^st minute vaulted the Rutgers-Newark Scarlet Raiders past the Kean University men's soccer team, 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.

Franco Catania notched a hat-trick for the Scarlet Raiders who improve to 8-3-2 overall and 3-0-2 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. Raonne Dias scored and assisted on a goal for the Cougars who fall to 6-4-1 overall and 2-3-0 in the NJAC.

Newark led 2-0 at intermission after two goals from Catania, including a penalty kick score in the 22^nd minute.

The second half saw the Cougars roar back with two goals in the first 18 minutes. Sadeiki Roberts tallied the first goal of the evening in the 47^th minute. The sophomore played a long through ball from Dias and beat the keeper one-on-one.  Kean notched the equalizer in the 58^th minute when Dias converted on a penalty kick after Erick Chicas was fouled in the box.

The Scarlet Raiders earned the eventual game-winner with a second penalty kick goal from Catania after a handball in the box.

Newark edged Kean on shots (18-15), shots on goal (5-4) and corner kicks (8-5). 29 fouls were called with seven cards being issued.

Dominic Ridge made two saves in 90 minutes of work.

Head Coach Peter-John Falloon and the Cougars will return to action on Monday, Oct. 11^th in Brooklyn, N.Y. against the Cougars of Medgar Evers College at 3:00 p.m.