MEN'S SOCCER DROPS OPENER TO SUNY ULSTER, 3-2

Modou Badjie scored two goals, including the game winner in the 86th minute as SUNY Ulster topped Middlesex College 3-2 in the season opener for the Colts. 

"We shoould have won this game," said Middlesex Head Coach Javier Velasco. "We need to be more disciplined defensively though."

The two teams were physical from the start and played a tight defensive game in a scoreless first half. Middlesex (0-1) goalkeeper Ali Mansour, a freshman from North Brunswick, made a leaping save on SUNY Ulster's best scoring chance in the first half. The Colts had more scoring opportunities than the Senators in the first half, but could not find the back of the net.

The Colts got on the board first when Jamie Madrid (Freshman/Perth Amboy, NJ) converted successfully in the 61st minute. However, Badjie knotted the game at one just four minutes later.

Middlesex regained the lead in the 75th minute when Claudio Lopez (Freshman/Dunellen, NJ) scored on a scramble inside the box. 

The Colts caught a break when SUNY Ulster (1-1) was forced to play down a man after an ejection, but the advantage was short-lived as the Colts received a double-yellow ejection of their own.

"Getting a red card affected the outcome of this game," said Velasco. "Hopefully our players learn from their mistakes so they don't happen again. We'll get back to work Monday and prepare for the next match."

With both teams playing down a man, the Senators scored goals in the 83rd and 86th minute to clinch the come-from-behind win. Kawshar Biswas tied the game at two and Badjie scored the game-winner three minutes later. 

The Colts will be back in action Thursday when they travel to Salem Community College for their conference opener.