Men's Soccer Edged Out at UMBC

Monday, August 27

Baltimore, MD

7:00 PM

Rutgers University

0-2

UMBC

2-0

Rutgers

UMBC

Photo by: Rich Graessle

Aug 27 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

BALTIMORE, MD. - The Rutgers men's soccer team boasted a 1-0 lead heading into halftime of Monday night's contest at UMBC, but the Retrievers punched back in the second half handing the Scarlet Knights a 3-2 loss.

Brian Hawkins gave RU the 1-0 edge in the 33^rd minute beating the Retriever defense into the 18 off a pass from Jordan Hall and finding the right corner.

The Retrievers knotted the score up at 1-1 as a free kick by Cesare Marconi 25 yards out landed in the right corner of the RU net. However, it was not long before the Scarlet Knights reclaimed the lead.

Hall captured his first Rutgers goal taking a pass by Vincenzo Pugliese and splitting the UMBC defense into the box only five minutes later to put the Scarlet Knights up 2-1.

In the 68^th minute, UMBC tied the score again as the ball was deflected into the Scarlet Knight net off a Retriever corner kick.

It almost looked to be a repeat of Rutgers immediately striking back after a Retriever score with the Scarlet Knights awarded a penalty kick in the 70^th minute. Zeno Mazzucato's strike, however, hit the crossbar to keep the game tied at 2-2.

Two minutes later, UMBC would register the game-winner with Jackson Becher heading in a pass to Cesare Marconi.

"We gave up three restart goals tonight," said head coach Dan Donigan. "UMBC got a goal to tie it up on a foul and we went up 2-1 on a beautiful goal by Jordan Hall. We responded well, but pressed our guys on not allowing restarts especially against a team like UMBC that is big and tough in the air. We can't give our opponents those little things and those opportunities with reckless fouls and poor clearance. We battled, but it was not enough. These are all things that can be fixed and I do love the fight these guys have showed."

UMBC led Rutgers in shots, 14-11, and held a 7-3 advantage in corners.

In goal, Rafael Pereira made six saves as the Scarlet Knights fell to 0-2. The Retrievers' Ciaran O'Loughlin, meanwhile, made two stops as UMBC improved to 2-0.

The Rutgers men's soccer team closes out its season opening road swing on Friday, Aug. 31 at Mount Saint Mary's before returning home to host Elon on Sunday, Sept. 2.

KNIGHT NOTES
- Redshirt junior Brian Hawkins notched his fourth career goal. He has now totaled 11 career points.
- Junior Jordan Hall recorded his first Scarlet Knights points with a goal and an assist.

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