Box Score

READING, Pa. - In part two of Wednesday's soccer doubleheader the men's team had their hands full with a very quick and physical Rutgers-Newark (7-3-3) squad. Combined with some less than stellar officiating, the Lions (5-5-2) could not overcome the odds as Rutgers-Newark handed the red and white a 2-0 non-conference loss at Shirk Stadium.

Combined the two teams shared a total of 20 fouls in the match, and a total of four cards were handed out, one of which to the Raiders bench. Probably the most ridiculous card of the night was the red card issued to Albright goalkeeper #Billy Howard# who entered in the game at the start of the second half.

Just six minutes into the second half, Howard was forced to come of out goal and make a stop on a Rutgers player. The sophomore goalkeeper took just one step out of the box as he made a tremendous save to keep the game a 1-0.

Unfortunately the center official and his linesman did not take into account exactly what happened on the play, and decided that instead of issuing a yellow card, which he was not afraid to do all night, he would give Howard an unwarranted red.

Of all the physical play that occurred in the contest, the official felt that by ejecting Howard he would some how regain control of the contest, but he was sorely mistaken.

They physical play that took place throughout the first half continued very much through the second.

The match actually began as an even battle between two teams that were unbeaten in their last three contests. Albright entered the match 3-0, while Rutgers-Newark was 2-0-1. The Raiders did hold the shot advantage over the Lions through both halves totaling 16 as compared to Albright's nine.

Netting both goals in the win was Richie Villamar on a penalty kick in the 41st minute and a direct kick in the 56th minute.

In goal for the Raiders was Matt Zielyk who recorded five saves to give Rutgers-Newark their fourth straight shutout.

For Albright, #Ryan Barr# started the game and made three saves through the first half. After the halftime break, Howard stepped in goal, and before he was thrown out of the game he tallied one save of his own. Barr reentered the game for Albright and added two more saves to his line.

Albright tried everything in their power to mount a second half comeback, but the numbers game after the red card proved too much for the Lions.  Sophomore #Mark Yost# and freshman #Thomas Villani# each tallied a team high two shots.  

Men's Soccer will look to bounce back this Saturday when they travel to Elizabethtown College for a 6 p.m. Commonwealth Conference match.