Rutgers Falls to Oalkand in OT, 2-1
Sep 02 | Men's Soccer
Rochester, Mich. - Despite an early one-goal deficit, the Rutgers men's soccer team (0-2) battled back and eventually tied the score, however, the Scarlet Knights fell 2-1 on an goal by Oakland University in overtime on Sunday, Sept. 2, at OU Soccer Field in Rochester, Mich.
The Grizzles took a 1-0 lead two minutes in the match when Stew Givens threw the ball into the box from the right sideline where Martin Sandell settled it and passed the ball back to Ian Daniel, who was open at the top of the box and fired high into the far side of the goal.
"Today we blanked," said head coach Bob Reasso. "We gave up a goal in the first minute and twenty seconds of the game; you can't do that and win soccer matches.
"They were a big and rugged Mid-Western team," Reasso added. "They had a big midfieldfer who threw big balls into the box all day long, which is like a corner kick. But I think our guys handled it well"
The Scarlet Knights tied the game in the 14th minute when freshman Dilly Duka (Montville, N.J.) sent a cross to junior Adam Lloyd (Warwick, N.J.), who connected with a header into the top right corner of the goal.
After the full 90 minutes of regulation play Rutgers and Oakland entered the overtime period tied at 1-1. The Grizzles seized the victory in the 94th minute with a game-winning goal from Sebastian Harris to make it 2-1.
"Starting out on the road is always tough. I thought we played well," said Reasso. "We came back and tied the game, but we lost on two set pieces. We had a couple wonderful opportunities that we should have finished. But this is not the end of the world. This is a young team, we have 14 new kids and it will take a while for everyone to get used to playing together."
The Scarlet Knights will return to Piscataway to begin their home slate at Yurcak Field on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 7:00 p.m. against the University of Illinois at Chicago.
