PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Facing the top-ranked team in the nation while battling injuries, No. 18 Rutgers (2-2) fell to No. 1 Loyola (3-1) by a score of 13-7. The Scarlet Knights made a late push for momentum with a run of goals in the third quarter, but were unable to continue it to pull off the upset.

Owen Mead led the Scarlet Knights with two goals, tying his previous career-high. Five other players (Adam Charalambides, Tommy Coyne, Mark Schachte, David Sprock and Michael Sanguinetti) also tallied in the game. Goalkeeper Max Edelmann made 12 saves.

Loyola held the advantage in ground balls (41-30), face-offs (winning 16-of-23) and saves (18). Shots were even at 40-40, while RU forced Loyola into 20 turnovers while only making 12.

SUMMARY

The Scarlet Knights scored first, but Loyola quickly answered back with the next three before RU answered again. The Greyounds scored the next four goals to take a 6-2 halftime lead, then pushed their advantage to 10-3 with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

RU then found some late momentum, with Schachte, Mead and Coyne finding the back of the net in succession. RU scored four out of five goals in a stretch, limiting Loyola to just one goal over 20 minutes of action to cut the deficit to as little as four. However, the visitors had the game's final two goals, making for the final 13-7 margin.  

QUOTABLE

"Loyola is a good team. They have two of the most talented players in the country in their position in Pat Spencer on attack and Jacob Stover in goal. They have talented players and they are well coached. So give credit to them for the win. We spotted them too much early on, then we settled in and started chipping away. We had some opportunities late, but their goalkeeper made 18 saves. We have some talented players, we're going to lean on them, and continue to develop some other guys and bring them along. It's a long season, so we'll keep working in practices on improving as the season unfolds.  

• Head Coach Brian Brecht

"Their defense did a good job and their goalkeeper was making some tough saves. We just came out a little slow in the first half. We played with some energy today against a tough team, and we just need to refocus and heading into next week."

• Attackman Tommy Coyne 

NOTABLE

• Owen Mead had two goals in a game for the second time, also doing so last season against Fairfield.
• Jordan Pakzad made his career debut for Rutgers.
• Mark Schachte made his first career start. He had his first career assist and a career-high four ground balls.
• Tommy Coyne had a career-high five ground balls.
• Zach Masessa had a career-high three ground balls.
• Rutgers' leading scorer Kieran Mullins did not play due to injury.

Tickets for the 2019 season are on sale through the Rutgers Ticket Office online or by calling 1-866-445-GORU (4678).

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