Men's Soccer & Hartford Play To 2-2 Stalemate

Saturday, September 8

Piscataway, N.J.

7:00 PM

Rutgers University

1-3-1

Hartford

0-3-2

OT 3

OT 4

Hartford

Rutgers

Photo by: (Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)

Sep 08 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score

Junior Jordan Hall Converts PK for Third Tally of the Season

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's soccer and Hartford played to a 2-2 double overtime stalemate on Saturday night at Yurcak Field.

Hartford (0-3-2) took a 1-0 lead in the 24^th minute as the Hawks' Jordan Koduah controlled a clear to find Kamer Nuhiu at the right side of the box. Nuhiu connected with Sergi Martniez six yards out from the Scarlet Knight goal for the first score of the night.

Rutgers (1-3-1) did not have to wait very long to join the Hawks on the scoreboard. Sophomore Vincenzo Pugliese sent the ball in from the right side of the 18 looking ahead to Nick Cruz heading towards the Hartford goal. The RU freshman, however, was taken down leading to a Scarlet Knight penalty kick. Junior Jordan Hall took the PK sending his kick into the right post for his third goal of the year and knotted the score at 1-1.

Watch Jordan Hall's Penalty Kick to tie the game with Hartford at 1-1! pic.twitter.com/pmZcCG0iHB
— Rutgers Men's Soccer (@RUMensSoccer) September 8, 2018

The Scarlet Knights took a 2-1 edge only 32 seconds after the intermission. Pugliese lofted the ball from the far side of the field towards redshirt senior Kyle Goodwin in front of the Hartford goal. A Hawk defender, however, looking to clear the ball out over the end line headed the ball into the back of his own net.

The Hawks tied the game up at 2-2 in the 68^th minute off a strike by Xahne Reid from 20 yards out into the lower right corner.

Rutgers' best chance to go back ahead before the end of regulation came in the 76^th minute with Hall setting up Pugliese at the top of the 18, but Hartford keeper Jimmy Slayton made a diving save to keep the score tied.

The Scarlet Knights managed the only shot in extra time with a Hall attempt just inside the right side of the 18 blocked.

"Although we didn't win, we still didn't lose, so for me it's a step in the right general direction," said head coach Dan Donigan. "We get a couple guys back healthy in Bryce (Washington), Vincent (Borden) and maybe Zeno (Mazzucato) will be healthy by the weekend so that can be very impactful from a personnel standpoint. I'm pleased with the effort and character our guys showed and again, that's a positive step."

RU finished the night outshooting the Hartford, 13-10, and holding a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.

Slayton made three saves for the Hawks, while Rafael Pereira made four stop in goal for the Scarlet Knights.

The Rutgers men's soccer team returns to the pitch on Friday, Sept. 14 in the Big Ten opener against Michigan in the second game of a double header at Yurcak. The women's soccer team opens up play with Nebraska at 5 p.m. followed by the Scarlet Knights meeting the Wolverines at 8 p.m.

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. For additional updates, download the Rutgers Gameday App.

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