Daniel Espeleta scored the equalizer for the visitors. (Photo courtesy of Fordham)
The Fordham University and Rutgers University men played to a 1-1 draw at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.
The Rams extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches, moving to 3-1-5, while Rutgers went to 5-1-2.
The Fordham defense held Rutgers off the scoreboard in the first half. Defender Conrado Duhour was a one-man wall, blocking four of Rutgers’ seven shots. Of the three that were not blocked, Fordham goalkeeper Callum James stopped two, while the final one went wide.
The match opened up in the second half, as Rutgers scored in the 49th minute. Jackson Temple crossed the ball to the center of the box for Pablo Avila, who connected on a sliding shot into the net for his second goal of the season.
A little over five minutes later, Fordham found the equalizer on a fine individual effort from Daniel Espeleta. Espeleta picked up a loose ball in the box and scored into the upper right corner from 15 yards for his first goal this season.
Rutgers came close to taking the lead in the 76th minute. Temple got in tight for a shot that James saved just before the ball crossed the line.
James finished the match with six saves in his first start of the campaign.
The Rams play the University of Massachusetts on Saturday at 7 p.m.
