Sept. 4, 2016 Box Score
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Rutgers men's soccer team took on its third-straight top 25 opponent on Sunday at No. 19 Charlotte, falling 5-0 to the 49ers in the first road contest of the 2016 season.
The Scarlet Knights, who open the first seven games of the 2016 campaign against six teams ranked in the Top 25 of the preseason polls, fell to 0-3 on the season. The 49ers meanwhile moved to 2-0.
The 49ers scored twice in the first half, notching the game-winner seven minutes into the contest.
Playing from the far right side of the field, Marco Sunol-Rojas flicked the ball into the box to a charging Daniel Bruce for the score into the left corner from eight-yards out.
Charlotte added its second tally of the half in the game's 13th minute on the first of two Callum Montgomery goals.
Dante Perez had a pair of chances to put the Scarlet Knights onto the scoreboard late in the half. Ryan Peterson crossed to Perez 12-yards out from the far left post in the contest's 30th minute. Controlling the pass, Perez used one touch to fire, but was thwarted by Charlotte keeper Elliot Panicco. In the game's final minutes before the half, Jason Wright dribbled into 49er territory, but was swarmed by four Charlotte players. Finding an opening, Wright passed to Thomas Dovell to set up Perez at the top of the 18. Perez's look though was blocked.
The 49ers added three more goals in the early in the second half at the 48, 52 and 56-minute marks.
Perez was denied again from finding the back of the Charlotte goal midway through the second half. As the 49er defense circled around Wright inside the 18, Charlotte's attempt at clear was picked up by Perez just outside the box. His look, however, was ultimately blocked.
Moments later, Peterson had another chance for Rutgers off a restart from 20-yards out. His shot, however, went over the 49er net.
Rutgers was outshot, 15-5, and held an 8-4 advantage in corner kicks.
In goal, the Scarlet Knights' David Greczek posted four saves. Charlotte's Panincco registered one stop.
"We need to regroup as we head into next week and conference play," said head coach Dan Donigan. "We will get right back to work to fix this. Our team will find a way to put this behind them and move in the right direction."
The Rutgers men's soccer team returns to play in Big Ten action. The Scarlet Knights travel to East Lansing, Michigan to open up conference play with Michigan State on Friday, Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. The game will air on BTN with Dan Kelly and Frank Klopas on the call.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMensSoccer) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RUMensSoccer) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
- RU -
