Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau Nets Two in St. John’s 2-2 Draw with Rutgers

Monday, August 28

Piscataway, N.J. (Yurcak Field)

7:30 p.m.

St. John's University

1-0-1, 0-0-0

Rutgers

0-1-1, 0-0-0

St. John's (NY)

Rutgers

Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau Nets Two in St. John’s 2-2 Draw with Rutgers

8/28/2023 10:16:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

The redshirt junior records first two collegiate goals after battling back from injury

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The St. John's men's soccer team battled Big Ten foe Rutgers to a 2-2 draw courtesy of a two-goal performance from Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau.

After missing significant time due to injury over his first three seasons with the Red Storm, the redshirt junior broke through for his first collegiate goal in the 31^st minute, followed by a crucial late-game equalizer in the 84^th minute.

Max McNulty logged a point for the second straight game with his assist on the goal while Antonio Biggs tallied a pair of helpers in Monday's contest. Connor Mucchetti also registered his first assist of the season, flicking the primary pass for Fleuriau Chateau to complete the brace.

St. John's (1-0-1) and Rutgers (0-1-1) were in a defensive battle through the first 10 minutes of the game with neither team allowing a shot. The Scarlet Knights struck first after a foul was drawn in the box and forced a penalty kick. Rutgers' Curt Calov went high right and put into the twine from the spot for a 1-0 lead.

The Red Storm turned on the pressure, forcing play into its attacking third for the better part of the next 25 minutes. In the 31^st minute, the Johnnies broke through on a Rutgers miscue. Biggs headed a poor pass from the Scarlet Knights' defender toward a streaking McNulty. The English striker tapped a pass to Fleuriau Chateau and the redshirt junior ripped a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper for his first of the season, tying the game, 1-1.

The Johnnies and Scarlet Knights combined for three shots in the first half while each logging one corner apiece.

Rutgers broke through early in the second half on a low shot from Jackson Temple in the 51^st minute, to regain a 2-1 edge.

The Red Storm quickly tried to retaliate as Josh Elliott surged on a deep pass in the box before his shot was deflected on net. The consistent pressure by the Johnnies wore down Rutgers and allowed them to capitalize.

With under six minutes remaining, Biggs and Mucchetti connected on an initial pass before a header floated to Fleuriau Chateau at midfield and the Red Storm's striker took off to the races. The Ottawa, Ontario native cut inside on his defender before blowing a strike past the goalkeeper for the equalizer, 2-2. Both teams were held off the board in the final six minutes and finished the game in a draw.

The two teams were even in shots on goal at three apiece.

St. John's will make its 2023 home debut at Belson Stadium on Friday against Monmouth. The contest is slated for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.