GLASSBORO, N.J. -- Playing in the Gilmore Alumni Classic to begin their 2019 campaign, the Carthage men's soccer team fell 1-0 to Rutgers-Camden Friday afternoon at Rowan Soccer Field.

The opposing Scarlet Raptors (1-0) jumped on the board first, sneaking a ball past the Red Men (0-1) that bounced off the left post to claim the lead. Carthage was able to get off three shots in the first half of play compared to just two by Rutgers-Camden, due to the tough defense shown by each team.

The second half began with more back-and-forth play, with the Red Men getting the first shot of the half on a header by Noah Smeja at the 57-minute mark. Moments later, Carthage was awarded a corner kick, with Jerry Patino taking a shot that was blocked by the defense. With just under 15 minutes left on the scoreboard, the Red Men had another close call on a shot by Danny Eloyza off a corner kick, and yet another on a shot by Patino that hit the post with just over five minutes left in the game.

Carthage will look to bounce back tomorrow when they take on tournament-host Rowan University at 10 a.m.
 

Head Coach Steve Domin

"It was a great team to open up with today; really great two teams in Rutgers and Rowan for our starting weekend. We got a real test today and I think we handled it well. We got countered early in the game, and their guy made a tremendous shot from distance and it hit the pole and went in."

"On our side we had a lot of possession and we hit the woodwork today four or five times, and it was really the reason we didn't get the result we wanted. Danny Eloyza, Jerry Patino, and Kevin Reilly were excellent today. We have an incredible test tomorrow. We do this every year and challenge our guy's character as much as their ability."
 

Quick Facts

• Despite the tough loss Carthage was able to create more offensive opportunities than their opponent today, out-shooting Rutgers-Camden eight to six.
• All six of the Red Men's corner kicks today came in the second half.
• The Scarlet Raptors made for a tough foe to begin the season, as they committed 22 fouls compared to Carthage's 10, and drew four yellow cards.

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