BALTIMORE, MD. – The Loyola Greyhounds broke open the game in the second half to spoil the Rutgers men's soccer team's 2018 season opener on Friday night as the Scarlet Knights fell 3-0 at the Ridley Athletic Complex.

The Scarlet Knights and Greyhounds played to a scoreless first half tie with Rutgers controlling possession much for the first 45 minutes of action.

The Greyhounds, however, got onto the scoreboard in the 67^th minute off the fifth corner attempt of the second half. Gabriel Carlson's serve found the 6-5 Jake Dengler to head the
ball into the right post.

Loyola added in a pair of insurance goals as Preseason Patriot League Midfield Player of the Year Barry Sharifi followed up with a turnaround shot from 25 yards out into the upper right corner in the 73^rd minute and Morgan Lussi collected a loose ball inside the 18 for a score in the final two minutes.

Loyola outshot Rutgers, 14-9, with newcomer Jordan Hall leading the Scarlet Knights with three attempts.

The Greyhounds also held a 6-3 advantage in corners, including Loyola's game-winner.

Rutgers goalkeeper Rafael Pereira made five stops, while his counterpart Chris Vosvick recorded two for the shutout.

Freshman defender Thomas DeVizio also came up with a stop off an early second half Greyhound corner attempt. With the serve to the fall side of the field in the 58^th minute, a bicycle kick by the Greyhound's Dengler drew Pereira off the line. As the ball made its way across the net, Loyola's Nico Brown had the potential for the open net goal but DeVizio was able to come up with the deflection at the near post.

"It was a very physical, hard-fought game up until they broke that first goal," said Rutgers head coach Dan Donigan. "I was happy with the fight, effort and work from our guys and give Loyola credit, they are a good team and are tough at home. It makes it that much more important now to bounce back on Monday against UMBC."

The Rutgers men's soccer team returns to action on Monday night at UMBC with a 7 p.m. kickoff against the Retrievers.

KNIGHT NOTES:
- Eight Scarlet Knights made their Rutgers debut against the Greyhounds. Thomas DeVizio, Jordan Hall, Brandon Golden and Vincenzo Pugliese were members of the starting XI, while Andrew Murray, Nick Cruz, Brendan Walland Dominik Demcak came off the bench.

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