The Eastern University men's soccer squad returned to the familiar surroundings of Olson field for this afternoon's non-league game against Rutgers-Camden. A steady rain throughout the beginning of the game led to slick field conditions. The visiting Scarlet Raptors capitalized on two first-half chances just 54 seconds apart to seize a 2-0 win.
The two teams battled through the midfield through much of the early part of the game, but each keeper came up big in separate spots. Eastern's Jon Crowder made a sliding stop on a one on one chance in the seventeenth minute, and Rutgers-Camden keeper TIm Van Liew made a nice save on a Terry Fry rocket in the 23rd. Fry had woven his way in behind the Rutgers-Camden back line and fired near post shot from a tight angle that Van Liew parried out to his backs.
The game turned in the 34th minute on a play that seemed harmless enough. Rhyan Nelson received a cross from the right and fired a left-footed shot from 25 yards out. The shot took an odd hop on the wet turf and skipped in for a 1-0 lead. The visitors doubled that advantage after a cross from the left bounced off several players in the danger zone and found its way to Jake Vollman outside the pile-up. Vollman's shot slithered through the crowd and clipped the inside of the left upright.
The Raptors held an 8-5 edge in shots at the break. Both goalkeepers finished with three stops before half.
After the break, the game grew increasingly physical, and both teams looked to take advantage of restart opportunities. Rutgers Camden had a pair of dangerous corners early, but Matt Leig was up to the challenge on both, and grabbed the serves before they became shots. The Eagles had two great chances to halve the lead on restarts, but Van Liew turned away headers from Ben Faro and Kyle Hurst.
Hurst hit a blast in the 76th minute that sailed just over the bar. Eastern's best chance came in the 85th minute after a foul in the box. Van Liew again stood tall and made a great diving save.
The Eagles held a 7-6 advantage in shots in the second half. They will return to action in another non-league game this coming Saturday evening at Cabrini College.
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