Sept. 25, 2002

Villanova, Pa. - Freshman Sam Castellanos scored a goal and two assists while Sherif El-Bialy added a pair of goals as Rutgers defeated Villanova 5-0 in a game here on Wednesday afternoon.

Rutgers (3-2-1 overall, 3-1-0 Big East) controlled the action from the outset. The Scarlet Knights speed generated an assortment of opportunities and Guy Abrahamson cashed in at the 22:41 mark. His long shot from outside the top of the box nestled softly over the head of Wildcats goalkeeper Sean Teesdale to give the Knights a 1-0 edge.

Less than five minutes later Castellanos fed a long ball ahead to Steve Loverso. Loverso was ahead of the field, shook off a late charging Villanova defender, and fired a low shot that beat Teesdale to make it 2-0 at 27:05.

With just 1:18 to go before halftime, Rutgers made it 3-0. A Rory Fitzgerald shot caromed back to Castellanos, who then fired a blast from the middle of the box that got past Teesdale to make it 3-0.

El-Bialy added the first of his two goals at 60:21 when he tucked a low shot inside the near post to beat Teesdale. El-Bialy then completed the scoring at 69:30 when his feed from Castellanos found the back of the net.

Rutgers outshot Villanova 24-11 on the afternoon. Ricky Zinter and Scott Conway combined on the shutout for the Scarlet Knights. It marked the Wildcats' fourth consecutive shutout loss. Villanova will look to end that streak on Sunday when it hosts Hofstra at the Soccer Complex at noon.

Rutgers 3 2 5

Villanova 0 0 0

Goals: El Bialy (2); Castellanos; Loverso; Abrahamson

Assists: Castellanos (3); Ftizgerald (2)

Saves: Zinter 3, Conway 1 (RU); Teesdale 6, Bald 2 (VU)

Shots: Rutgers 24, Villanova 11