NEWARK, N.J. – The College of New Jersey men's soccer team fell to Rutgers-Newark in the New Jersey Athletic Conference opener on Saturday by a final tally of 2-1. TCNJ slipped to 7-2 on the season, while Rutgers-Newark jumped to 4-4 on the year.

The Scarlet Raiders got on the board first. Rutgers Newark scored in the 41^st minute with a Joshua Breton-Jones goal.

In the second half, it did not take long for the Lions to draw even. Just over a minute in, Michael Maltese converted on a penalty kick to tie it up 1-1. The goal was the second of the year for Maltese.

In the 57^th minute, Kevin Esteves got off a shot on goal but was denied by the Rutgers-Newark goalkeeper Andres Medina. The Scarlet Raiders nabbed a 2-1 lead in the 60^th minute with a Dino Branco goal.

TCNJ had an opportunity just under nine minutes later when Justin Dominique had a shot on goal, yet he was turned away by Medina. In the 88^th minute, Sam Monaco had a shot on target that was stopped. Only 24 seconds later, Ryan Santos had a shot on goal, yet it was saved by Medina.

The Lions had a 13-12 shot advantage on the game, and a 2-1 edge in corner kicks.

Daniel Mecadon tallied four saves in net for TCNJ.

The Lions return to action on Sept. 25, when they will face Stevens Institute of Technology at home.