SALEM NIPS SHORTHANDED MIDDLESEX, 2-1

Playing without four starters from their opening day lineup and two additional bench players, Middlesex College Men's Soccer dropped a close match at Salem Community College, 2-1.

"We had four or five clear chances, but we couldn't put them away," said Head Coach Javier Velasco. "Salem had two very good scoring chances and they converted both. That was the difference."

Salem (1-0) scored a goal in each half while the Colts lone goal came on a penalty kick in the second half. Andrew Solomon (Freshman/Edison, NJ) converted the penalty for Middlesex (0-2). George Mangandi (Freshman/South Plainfield, NJ) paced the Colts with three shots on goal. 

Jayson Vassallo (Freshman/South River, NJ) got the start in goal for Middlesex and made five saves in the first half. Jeremy Madrid (Freshman/Perth Amboy, NJ) had four saves in the second half for the Colts. Middlesex had 12 shots on goal, but didn't register a goal outside of the penalty kick.

"We need to continue working on finishing, "said Velasco. "We played without four starters and two bench players and it showed. We also played a man down for the last 20 minutes. We'll continue working on getting better."

Middlesex is scheduled for a home match against Ocean Community College this Saturday at Thomas Edison Park (Edison, NJ). Kickoff is set for 11:30AM.