NEW YORK – The Rutgers men's soccer team tried to lift themselves out of an early two-goal deficit on Tuesday night against Columbia, but fell just short of a comeback in a 2-1 setback in the regular season nonconference finale.

Columbia (7-4-1) made the most of their early chances for a 2-0 lead 15 minutes into the contest.

The Lions' Matthew Swain scored from the top right of the box off a pass from the outside left of the 18 five minutes into the contest.

Ten minutes later, Kynan Rocks knocked in a head from six yards out off the double cross to the center of goal by Swain and Beto Carrillo.

Rutgers (4-11-1), however, would get a boost before the intermission from leading scorer Jordan Hall in the 38^th minute.

A slide tackle by Vincent Borden in Scarlet Knight territory led to redshirt junior Brian Hawkins collecting the loose ball. On the long pass, Hawkins was able to connect with Hall at the left side of the box, who then fired from seven yards out into the opposite corner for his 13^th goal of the season.

While only managing two shots in the opening half, the Scarlet Knights fired off 10 attempts in the second half, but was unable to find the equalizer. Rutgers ended the night outshooting Columbia, 12-7.

Lion keeper Dylan Castanheira, who became the Lions' all-time leader in shutouts in the previous contest, registered four of his six stops in final 45 minutes. Rutgers' Rafael Pereira, meanwhile, captured three saves.

"It was really the first 10-15 minutes of the game, we dug ourselves too deep of a hole and we couldn't get out of it," said head coach Dan Donigan. "We punched one back before the half, which was great, but then we couldn't muster enough quality chances in the second half. I thought we played pretty well and I credit the subs that came in off the bench because they really changed the complexion of the first half and kind of woke us up again. In the second half we tried to step on the gas a little bit, but it wasn't enough."

Rutgers is back in action on Sunday afternoon at Penn State jockeying for position in the Big Ten standings.

"Heading into the Penn State game, we have a chance to jump them in the standings if we can beat them on Sunday," added Donigan. "Our whole focus is on this game on Sunday. That's our mindset. We are going in wanting the three points and that would secure sixth place for us in the league."

Kickoff against the Nittany Lions is set for 4 p.m.

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