Florian Deletioglu scored the Rams’ lone goal. (Photo courtesy of Fordham)
After rallying back to earn draws in each of their last three contests, the Fordham University men came up short of a fourth consecutive rally, falling to the Saint Louis University, 2-1, in Atlantic 10 action at Jack Coffey Field in the Bronx, N.Y. on Saturday night.
The loss snapped Fordham’s 10-match unbeaten streak, dropping the team at 3-2-7, 1-1-3.
The Billikens (6-4-1, 3-1-1) started the scoring in the 12th minute, as CJ Coppola knocked in a rebound off a John Klein shot for his fourth this season.
Saint Louis extended the lead to 2-0 in the 72nd minute. After a clearance, Christian Buendia put a long ball into the penalty area that found its way to Grady Easton inside the six-yard box for the header deflection into the net for his second goal of the season.
Fordham cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 88th minute. Daniel Espeleta used a head flick to get the ball to Nathan Simes, who sent a through ball to Florian Deletioglu for a mini-breakaway. Deletioglu then slipped a left-footed shot past the goalkeeper for his third goal of the campaign.
The Rams had a final chance in the last minute to try and get an equalizer but a shot by Daniel D’Ippolito slid just wide right of the goal.
Keeper Carlos Tofern made five saves for the Billikens, while Callum James had three stops for the Rams.
Fordham travels to Saint Joseph’s University next Saturday for a 5 p.m. start.
