CAMDEN — Salem Ellisy put Kean University men’s soccer in front from the penalty spot in the second half, but an 88th-minute equalizer from Rutgers-Camden forced the Cougars to settle for a 1-1 draw in NJAC play Saturday afternoon.
Neither team found much success in front of goal during the opening half. Rutgers-Camden had an opportunity to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after Andy Mayorga was called for a handball inside the box. However, William Veiga sent his attempt over the crossbar, allowing Kean to escape the situation without conceding.
The game became more eventful after halftime as Rutgers-Camden earned another penalty following a foul by Allan Palma Romero inside the box. During the stoppage before the attempt, Kean goalkeeper Juan Orozco received a second yellow card and was sent off, forcing the Cougars to make a change in goal.
Guillermo Miranda entered in place of Orozco and immediately faced a difficult situation. Miranda denied Joseph Kennedy from the penalty spot, keeping the match scoreless and giving Kean a chance to take the lead despite being reduced to 10 players.
The Cougars capitalized on their opportunity moments later. After Jason Garwood committed a foul inside the box, Kean was awarded a penalty of its own. Ellisy stepped up and converted the attempt, putting the Cougars ahead 1-0 in the second half.
With the advantage, Kean looked to protect its lead while playing a man down. Rutgers-Camden continued to push for an equalizer, and its persistence paid off late in the match.
Nik Grello found the back of the net from just inside the penalty area in the 88th minute, drawing the Scarlet Raptors level and denying Kean a conference victory. The Cougars were unable to find a winning goal before the final whistle, leaving both teams with a point.
The draw moved Kean to (2-6-4) overall and (0-3-1) in NJAC play, while Rutgers-Camden moved to (3-7-2) overall and (0-3-1) in conference action.
Kean will look to return to the win column Wednesday when it hosts Stockton at 7:30 p.m. Rutgers-Camden will also be back in conference action Wednesday, traveling to Ramapo for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
