Late Goal Downs Men’s Soccer in NCAA Opening Round

Prior to the Rams' opening round game of the NCAA Championship, Fordham head coach Jim McElderry said his team would compete and that they did, scoring an equalizing goal with just over 11 minutes left in regulation against the 20^th-ranked Dartmouth Big Green at Burnham Field in Hanover, N.H.  However, Alex Adelabu scored the go-ahead goal with under five minutes left to push the Big Green past the Rams, 2-1.
 
After a corner kick opportunity for each squad in the first 10 minutes, the first true scoring chance came off a Fordham turnover.  A through pass got to Alex Adelabu for a one-on-one chance against Fordham goalkeeper Sean Brailey.  Adelabu beat Brailey to the left side, but the ball hit the left post and stayed out, keeping the game scoreless.
 
Fordham's first chance came off the foot of Aleksandar Mastilovic in the 27^th minute from 12 yards out, forcing Dartmouth goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland to make a diving save to the left side.
 
Dartmouth rang another shot off the left post in the 38^th minute, this time off the foot of Colin Heffron, which rolled out of play.
 
A final chance before halftime came for the Big Green in the final 60 seconds.  Matt Greer got around a Fordham defender for a cross that was blocked by Ryan Cupolo, bounced off the right post, and cleared by Christopher Bazzini, leaving the game scoreless at the half.
 

Right off the bat in the second half, Jannik Loebe had an early chance for Fordham that was stopped by Cleveland, while Adelabu got a quick opportunity for the Big Green that Brailey knocked away.
 
The Big Green then broke through in the 61^st minute, as Robin Alnas netted his third goal of the year from 10 yards out.  Adelabu popped the ball into the box, off of Matt Danilack's head to Alnas for the one-timer shot.
 
Fordham found the equalizer in the 79^th minute off a set piece.  After a foul, Mastilovic teed up a free kick from 40 yards out.  Christopher Bazzini got a head on it, deflecting it left off Cleveland's hand to the post and in for his second goal of the season.
 
Dartmouth had the response with under five minutes to go, as Adelabu rifled a shot to the right corner for his tenth goal of the year, with Danilack and Heffron recording the assists.
 
The Rams were unable to get another scoring chance, as Dartmouth advances to a Saunday match with Providence.
 
In goal, Brailey made three saves, while Cleveland had two for the Big Green.
 
Fordham ends the season with an 8-9-4 record.