News Release
Gambino helps Raptors defend ECAC Metro crown
CAMDEN � Senior midfielder Rob Gambino (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) headed home the game-winning goal midway through the second half on his way to tournament MVP honors, powering Rutgers University-Camden past Drew University, 2-1, for its second straight ECAC Division III Metro Men�s Soccer Championship title here Sunday afternoon.
The second-seeded Scarlet Raptors, who won the 2006 ECAC Metro title on the road at New Jersey City University, defended their title at Rutgers-Camden Community Park as they closed the season with a 13-7-3 record.
Fourth-seeded Drew, which had won seven straight games, including a 1-0 double-overtime semifinal win at top-seeded Ramapo College Saturday, closed its season at 14-8.
With the score tied at 1-1 midway through the second half, Rutgers-Camden freshman midfielder Avidon Respes (Sicklerville, NJ/Rubin Wishkin College Prep) entered the game and immediately paid dividends, collecting his first collegiate point to assist Gambino�s winning goal. From the left side of the goal, Respes sent a cross to the far right post, where Gambino headed in the tie-breaking goal at 67:11. That goal, his seventh of the season, capped a big weekend for Gambino. He also had an assist and the game-winning goal in Saturday�s 3-2 double-overtime semifinal win over Richard Stockton College. He finished his senior season with 18 points (seven goals, four assists) to tie for second on the team in scoring.
Rutgers-Camden came out strong in the first half and held a 10-2 advantage in shots over the opening 45 minutes. The Raptors managed only one goal in that span, however, against the Rangers, who had posted six consecutive shutouts heading into the title game.
Midway through the opening half, Scarlet Raptor senior forward Rodney Guishard (Mays Landing, NJ/Oakcrest) and Rangers freshman goalie Jeff Rogers (Eldersburg, MD/Century) converged on a long through ball to the top of the box. The ball squirted free and, while sprawled on the ground, Guishard managed to poke it into the net for his fifth goal of the season. It was the first goal allowed by the Rangers in 662 minutes, dating back to Oct. 20.
Guishard, who was playing in his program-record 84th career game, finished his senior season as the Raptors� leading scorer with five goals and 11 assists for 21 points. He had 20 goals, 24 assists and 64 points in his four-year career, tying for second in career assists and placing fifth in points.
Drew tied the game at 56:02, following a corner kick by junior forward Alex Degernes (Charlotte, NC/Providence Day). The corner kick was headed into the net by sophomore Marc Chiarello (Robbinsville, NJ/Hun School) for his second goal of the year.
In a foul-filled game, Drew was called for four yellow cards and 16 fouls, while Rutgers-Camden had two yellows and 13 fouls. The Scarlet Raptors held an 18-8 advantage in shots, while both teams had seven corner kicks.
Rogers made seven saves in the Drew goal. Rutgers-Camden senior Brent Grunow (Estell Manor, NJ/Buena Regional) had four saves in his final game. Grunow ended the season with a 12-7-3 record, a 1.03 goals-against average and six shutouts. For his career he posted 19 wins, third on the program�s all-time list.
The victory marked the second ECAC Metro title in the two-year Raptor coaching career of Tim Oswald. His team has won 13 games each season, going 26-11-9 in his two years at the helm.
Submitted 2007-11-11 14:30:58 by Rutgers University-Camden Sports Information Department
