ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Roberts Wesleyan College men's soccer team played a solid first 45 minutes and took a 1-0 lead into halftime of Thursday night's non-conference game against Walsh University.
The Redhawks, who were playing just 54 hours after a hard-fought 3-0 win at Saint Michael's University, were unable to maintain the advantage in the second half and dropped a 2-1 decision to the Cavaliers.
"Honestly, we played pretty well," Roberts coach Scott Reber said. "We just made a couple of mental mistakes and it hurt us."
Roberts senior Dylan Ruiz opened the scoring on a penalty kick in the 20^th minute. Ruiz, the all-time leading goal scorer in Roberts history, was taken down in the box and converted the PK for his second goal of the season.
Walsh (3-0), which outscored its first two opponents by a combined 9-2, built momentum in the second half and evened the game in the 69^th minute. Lewis Matton then delivered the winner, his second of the night, 8:30 later.
Roberts (1-2) had a couple of good looks, including a shot that hit the goal post off a corner kick, but was unable to get the equalizer.
Senior Jared Gibbons made five saves for Roberts.
"We kept fighting until the end," Reber said.
The Redhawks will have another quick turnaround as they host Malone at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
"We will have a very light workout tomorrow and get ready to play Malone on Saturday," Reber said.