HAMILTON –  Colgate men's soccer battled Rutgers here Friday afternoon in its home opener but the Raiders eventually fell 2-1 to their Big Ten foe.
 
Colgate jumped ahead early in the game when Ethan Kutler had a brilliant individual performance five minutes in. He started by stripping the ball from a Scarlet Knights defender just outside the 18-yard box. The junior then took a few touches before placing the ball into the lower left-hand corner for the game's first goal and his first of the year.
 
Unfortunately, 15 minutes later the visitors knotted the score when Miles Hackett found the back of the net off a feed from Jason Wright. Then just 30 seconds into the second half the Scarlet Knights made it 2-1 after JP Correa pushed one past Raiders goalie Ricky Brown.
 
The Raiders started the game strong, talking the early 1-0 edge just 5:25 into the contest. The play originated after Kutler stole the ball off a Rutgers defender 25-yards outside from net. The Lansing, New York, native took a few touches toward goal before bending it around the Scarlet Knights goalkeeper, David Greczek, and into the back of the net.
 
Rutgers charged back to tie the score in the 19th minute, however, making for an interesting final 25 minutes of the half.
 
Neither team was able to grab the go-ahead marker and both squads headed into the break knotted at 1-all.
 
Just 30 seconds into the second half, Rutgers scored the eventual game-winner after Correa curled a shot in far post for his first of the year.
 
Colgate turned up its offensive pressure and had its fair share of opportunities in the remaining minutes including a chance from rookie Abdel Sanogo. With a little more than 16 minutes left in the game, Sanogo brought down a great Benji Geisler cross from the left wing. The first-year took one touch inside the center of the box before striking a shot on frame. Sadly, his attempt sailed just high over the crossbar, stiffing any Raiders hope of equalizing.
 
Colgate garnered some more opportunities but weren't able to knot the score, eventually falling 2-1.
 
The Raiders have a quick turnaround as they play host to UC Riverside on Sunday. The contest is set for 1:30 p.m. on Beyer-Small '76 Field.

BOTTOM LINE
• Rutgers 2, Colgate 1

WON-LOST RECORDS
• Rutgers improves to 2-0-0 on the year
• Colgate dips to 0-1-1

KEY RAIDER INFO
• Kutler tallied his first goal of the season just five minutes into the contest.
• Brown didn't finish with any saves but was key in punching away crosses throughout the game.
• The match was nearly even with Rutgers registering seven shots and Colgate six.

FACTS & FIGURES
• Both teams finished with two shots on goal, while Rutgers held the edge on corner kicks at 5-2.
• Rutgers was forced to make one save in the contest.
• Kutler led all players with three shots, while Sanogo recorded two.  
• The Scarlet Knights slightly outshot the Raiders at 7-6.  
• There were two yellow cards issued throughout the game, one to both teams.
 
Gate Grab Bag
• The attendance for the Raiders home opener at Beyer-Small '76 Field was 521.

UP NEXT
• The Raiders next welcome UC Riverside on Sunday.
• Gametime is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Beyer-Small '76 Field.
• The Highlanders are coming off a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Syracuse earlier Friday afternoon.
• Fans can watch the live stream for free HERE.

Game Archive