CAMDEN, NJ | The College of Staten Island men’s soccer team lost for the second time in as many days by a 3-1 count, today falling to Rowan University at the Cailella Classic at Rutgers-Camden.

Yesterday, CSI dominated play in the first half but were trailing 1-0 at the half.  Once again, CSI played well in the first half of this one, but at the end of the first 45, even though CSI had five shots to Rowan’s six, the score was knotted at 0-0.  Two of CSI’s three shots on target came off of the foot of Philip Lefkowitz.  Meanwhile, CSI keeper Christian Carucci did not need to make a first half save as all of the Profs shots went wide of the net.

Again like a day ago, CSI would give up a goal within a handful of minutes coming out of intermission.  This time, Rowan’s Vincent Guzzo was in the right place at the right time, tapping in a shot off of a rebound on a Kevin Primich shot that Carucci initially stopped just 2:20 into the second half.

From there, the Profs tightened up defensively, and CSI only mustered up one shot over the next 25 minutes.  In the 71st minute, however, CSI did strike.  Bryant Navarro sent a cross after streaking down the right side and Breny Salas was there to punch it home to knot the score at 1-1, with 18:32 left to play.

CSI’s excitement was short-lived, however.  After making three substitutions, Rowan struck again just over three minutes after CSI’s goal, this time when Mike Schoener popped in a goal with heavy numbers in the CSI box on a feeder from Nick Schlageter. 

Rowan wanted insurance, and they got it just 1:08 later, as Ryan Campbell scrambled after a loose ball to the left of Carucci and slammed it home to make it 3-1.  A stingy defense for Rowan would not allow another CSI shot in the game, ultimately prevailing by the 3-1 count.

Rowan led the final shot count, 12-7 (5-5 on goal).  The teams tied in corner kicks at two apiece and fouls with 12 apiece.  RU’s Kyle Dennis made four saves for the win, while Carucci made two saves in defeat.

CSI will have a couple of days to rest and will get back to action on Wednesday, September 12, when they travel to Sarah Lawrence College for a 7pm showdown at Tibbett’s Field in Yonkers for another non-conference test.