PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers dropped a 2-0 decision to Maryland in a Wednesday men's soccer matinee at Yurcak Field.

While Rutgers (1-6-1, 0-3-0) had several early chances in the game, it was Maryland (3-3-2, 2-1-0 Big Ten) that went on to capture the game winner in the 13^th minute and add in an insurance tally late in second half play.

The Terps' Sebastian Elney had his header off the corner serve by Eli Cognale blocked, but Cognale picked up the loose ball at the left side of the box to resend the ball into the 18. Eric Matzelevich's header hit the crossbar and the ball bounced inside the goal line at the far post to give Maryland the lead.

Rutgers had one of its best chances for a score not long after the Terps took the 1-0 lead. Sophomore Bryce Washington fired from eight yards out, however Maryland goalkeeper Dayne St. Claire deflected the ball to keep the Scarlet Knights off the scoreboard. Classmate Kyle Galloway came up with the loose ball, shooting with St. Claire off his line, but the Terp defense thwarted RU's second chance for the equalizer.

The Terps took four shots midway through the second half with the Rutgers defense not allowing many good looks on net. Maryland broke through, however, for its second goal as William James Herve drove into the box from the left side to setting up Amar Sejdic for a shot from eight yards out into the right corner with 12 minutes remaining in the contest.

The Scarlet Knights peppered the Terp goal with several late chances, including RU leading scorer Jordan Hall sliding in a shot past a Maryland defender towards the right post that was saved by St. Clair with seven minutes to go.

"I think we need to do a better job of sustaining possession and building up our attack because that will allow us to get the rest needed to defend in spurts," said head coach Dan Donigan. "Right now, we are defending an awful lot. We have to be able to continually keep the ball and not turn it over as soon as we win it because that puts us in a defensive posture again. We're chasing, we're fighting, which is all good, but the more you do that, the more fatigue is going to set in and I think that's what happened a little bit in the second half."

Senior Rafael Pereira made four saves for the Scarlet Knights on the afternoon, while St. Clair posted four stops for the Terps.

Maryland outshot Rutgers, 16-9, and held a slight, 5-4, advantage in corners.



The Rutgers men's soccer team continues Big Ten action this weekend traveling to Ohio State on Sunday, Sept. 30, meeting the Buckeyes at noon on BTN. Dean Linke and Chris Doran will be on the call.
 
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