CAMDEN, N.J. – The Manhattanville College men's soccer team's efforts came up short in their opening game of the 2015 Cialella Soccer Classic hosted by Rutgers-Camden.  The Valiants comeback attempt fell short against the host Rutgers-Camden, as they fell 3-2. 
                                                     
The Scarlet Raptors (3-1 overall), who are receiving votes in the Division III national poll, proved to be too much for the Valiants (2-2 overall).  Rutgers outshot Manhattaville 19-8, earning five corners along the way.
 
The game got out to a back and forth start, with each team compiling three shots in the first 12 minutes.  The Scarlet Raptors were able to break through in the 19^th minute however, when Mike Ryan put home a cross from Ramadan Bayyan to put Rutgers up 1-0. 
 
Less than two minutes later, the Scarlet Raptors struck again.  Grant Taylor found the head of Aaron Muse on a set piece, whose header to the far post found the back of the net off a free kick. 

"We were very poor defensively today.  The players knew who the main threats were for Rutgers-Camden, yet we allowed them to score a pair of very preventable goals," said head coach Gregg Miller.
 
Looking for a spark of momentum, Manhattanville earned a corner with just over a minute remaining in the half. Junior Jesper Hjalm (Stockholm, Sweden/Huddingegymnasiet)'s cross found senior Eddie Silber (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East) on the left post after a scramble, and Silber was able to put it home for the Valiants' first goal. 
 
Coming out of halftime, the Valiant momentum was halted, as the Scarlet Raptors worked the ball into the attacking end of the field, and Connor Hurff found Feli Csombok inside the box for a one-timer goal just 26 seconds into the half to give Rutgers a two-goal lead once again.

"Mental focus for this team has to be something we work on.  To concede a goal within a minute of the restart and within two minutes of their first goal is simply unacceptable.  We have to put that right," said Miller.
 
Looking to answer quickly, Manhattanville was able to get the ball upfield and Hjalm found sophomore Robin Schaufele (Kalix, Sweden/Kungsfaegeln) on a cross and Schaufele's header to the far post beat keeper James Brett to cut the deficit to one.  The Scarlet Raptors were able to shut down the Valiant attack for the rest of the afternoon however, as Manhattanville could only muster two more shots on the rest of the way. 
 
"We have a very small window of time to recover and refocus for tomorrow now.  It is imperative that we get our minds on New Jersey City Universityand ensure no repeat of today," said Miller regarding their consolation match of the Cialella Soccer Classic tomorrow afternoon.  Kickoff for that game will take place at 2:00 P.M.