PITTSBURGH— No. 8 Rutgers defeated the Pittsburgh Men’s Soccer team 4-1 Sunday afternoon at Founders Field, its first conference loss of the season The loss drops the Panthers to 1-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in Big East play. The Scarlet Knights’ victory raises their overall record to 3-1-0, and 2-1-0 in the conference.

The Scarlet Knights pressured the Panthers early-on and tallied two quick scores. Ricardo Arenas scored the first Rutgers goal in the 20^th minute when he headed in a corner kick by Gustavo Mora. The Scarlet Knights went up 2-0 three minutes later when Chris Karcz fired a shot that hit inside the right post and rolled across the goal line.

Pittsburgh cut the deficit to 2-1 with its only goal of the contest on account of junior forward Billy Brush’s (Olney, Md./Sherwood/Virginia Wesleyan) pressure of Rutgers goalkeeper Scott Conway. Conway’s ball caromed of Brush and bounced into the net at the game’s 42 minute mark Brush’s score is his first as a Panther, as well as his first career points.

Panthers goalkeeper Justin Lowery (Atlanta, Ga./Paideia School) faced 18 shots, while making a career-high seven saves.

Rutgers tacked on two second half goals to give the Scarlet Knights their 4-1 victory. In relief of Lowery, redshirt freshman Jason Cooke (Leonardtown, Md./Leonardtown) recorded his first career save, while facing three shots.

Rutgers outshot Pittsburgh 21-8, while both teams received four corner kicks during the game.

The Panthers return to action as they host St. Francis (Pa.) Wednesday evening at Founders Field. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

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