Rutherford nets his third goal of the season

           DARTMOUTH, Mass. - The Plymouth State University men's soccer team fell to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 3-1, in the Little East Conference (LEC) opener for both teams. With the setback the Panthers fall to 1-4-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the LEC. UMD improves to 1-3-0 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play.

           The Corsairs jumped out to a 1-0 lead courtesy of a first half goal from Fabio Arauja. Arauja got a breakaway down the right side in the 35th minute and was able to beat PSU goalkeeper Linus Lindeberg (Stockholm, Sweden) to put the hosts in front.

           The score would remain 1-0 into the intermission, with PSU able to fire three shots but none on goal.

           The Corsairs scored the game-winner eight minutes into the second half. UMD's Austin Dias received a cross from the right side and buried it in the back of the net to put the hosts up 2-0.

           Plymouth State cut the lead in half seven minutes later, when senior Nick Rutherford (Sydney, Australia) scored off a give-and-go from freshman Harry Rubinic (Sydney, New South Wales) in the 61st minute.

           PSU had a corner kick in the 67th minute but UMD was able to breakaway and restore the two goal lead. Elvis Mendes sent a pass in from the left side to Haden Cordeiro, who finished to put UMD in front 3-1.

           Lindeberg recorded four saves for the Panthers. PSU returns to the pitch on Monday (Sept. 18) at 4:30 p.m. when they welcome Johnson & Wales for a non-conference tilt.

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